Last year, the Carolina Panthers hopped on the bandwagon for sitting starters during the preseason. QB Bryce Young played one series in total, and he looked rather brilliant in that series. Other than that, he sat. Obviously, that was a mistake.

Canales' approach marks a departure from his first year coaching the Panthers in 2024, where he held out many of his starters from preseason play before finally giving the first team a brief outing in the preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills.

The Carolina Panthers are preparing Hunter Renfrow to be a 'secret weapon' for Bryce Young to make the next step as an NFL quarterback.