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Carolina Panthers head coach 1-on-1 interview as the 2026 season approaches Head coach Dave Canales is entering his 3rd year with the Panthers CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales is entering his third year at the helm for the black and blue. The Panthers are coming off their best season under Canales winning eight games. Coach Canales sat down with WBTV Sports Director Nate Wimberly and they covered a number of topics including the Panthers expectations for the upcoming season. Last season, the Panthers played their first playoff game since 2017, when the Panthers were led by Carolina legend Cam Newton. During the 2025 season the Panthers went 8-9 on the way to their first NFC South Division title under Canales, it was the first division title since 2015. The Panthers ultimately loss in the Wild Card Round to the Los Angeles Rams 34-31. The Panthers hope the 2026-27 team can make it to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. Something Carolina hasn’t done since the 2014 and 2015 seasons. “Is this a playoff team?” Wimberly asked coach Canales. “I’m not going to say that. I want to find the best football that the 2026 Panthers can show,” coach Canales said. “All of that is earned and our goal is to win the division, I know that, that takes care of the playoffs.” As coach Canales prepares to lead this year’s squad to hopefully their first winning season since 2017 when the Panthers were led by head coach Ron Rivera and finishing 11-5. The Panthers open the season at home against the Chicago Bears at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 13, from Bank of America Stadium. “Treat every game like we are going to win and approach it that way,” Canales said. “We work all together, the staff, the players everybody and I am very open to our best football right off the bat. Of the first four games of the 2026-27 season the Panthers will face off against teams who went a combined 33-35 last season. The Bears are the lone team of the first four games for the Panthers that made the playoffs last season. The Panthers will also face NFC South Division rival the Atlanta Falcons, a team they beat twice last year, the Detroit Lions and the Cleveland Browns. “It’s a big year for all of us and we haven’t proved anything to anybody,” coach Canales. We are progressively getting better, but that can’t be good enough. We have to find our best." The remainder of the schedule the Panthers will face six teams that made the playoffs last season including the Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks. “Our goal, what we talk about is, I want to see how good the 2026 Panthers can be,” Canales said. “This isn’t the 2025 team, this isn’t any team from the past. This is a new beginning and a new creation and it starts over every offseason.” The Panthers brought in some key veterans this offseason including linebacker Devin Lloyd, pass rusher Jalen Phillips and tight end Darren Waller. Carolina also added a number of key rookies including offensive lineman Monroe Freeling and defensive tackle Lee Hunter. The Panthers hope this influx of talent can propel them to the next level. “It’s a high character group in general just hard working. They treat people with respect around the building,” coach Canales said. “The locker room has been abuzz. Guys are lingering, hanging out longer and wanted to do stuff together.” Quarterback Bryce Young will look to build off one of the best season’s of his pro career. In 2025, the former No. 1 overall pick set career highs in passing yards with 3,011, touchdowns with 23, completion percentage at 63.6% and passer rating at 87.8. Young also had a knack for making comebacks during the 2025 season. He had six game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime. He also led the league in passing yards on 4th down with 285. The Panthers led the league with 27 4th down conversions. In his career Young has 12 game-winning drives which ranks as the most since he entered the league in 2023. Young will have some of his best weapons of his career entering 2026 led by NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan. Joining McMillan are Jalen Coker and 2024 first round pick Xavier Leggette. Copyright 2026 WBTV. All rights reserved.