Dave Canales on Panthers run game: ‘We need all the backs’

The Carolina Panthers will look to improve in 2024 following their disappointing 2-15 finish last season. And improvement on the offensive side of the ball could take them a long way after finishing 2023 as the league’s worst offense in yards per game and as the second-worst scoring unit.

The Panthers currently have some strong depth at the running back position following several offseason acquisitions. A situation that new head coach Dave Canales is pleased with as he enters his first season as a head coach.

“In my experience in our system, this goes for 13 years in Seattle and then the one year in Tampa, in my experience we need all the backs,” Canales said at rookie minicamp. “We need all of them to contribute at some point in the season, knock on wood. But they get nicked, or it’s in a game and then he busts a shoestring right? And they’re switching his shoes out to get him back ready and those others backs have to be ready to play.”

Carolina currently has seven running backs on their roster, bringing back the team’s two leading rushers from a season ago, Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders, and also adding players like second-round draft pick Jonathon Brooks. Who has not yet been cleared for practice following a torn ACL injury suffered last college football season, but elevates the Panthers’ running backroom in several ways.

“So for me this is just adding another great player to really challenge our roster, to really bring into the group, add an explosive element. But also just like everybody, we gotta all work now. So as Dan (Morgan) and I continue to add great players to our team it really just elevates the whole room, whichever position they’re in, and this is no different in the running back room,” Canales explained.

Along with Brooks, the Panthers also signed veteran backs like Raheem Blackshear and Rashaad Penny this offseason. Who not only help raise the competition and strength of the group, but can help show other players the way, in particular Penny who has experience in Canales’ scheme.

“Absolutely, and just like I said, I feel like (when) we really come out of the season, we need all of these guys. In several years we used our practice squad running backs as well, so it’s the guys that can do more than just the offensive part. Do they give us value on teams?” Canales asked. “And Rashaad’s another guy that can return kicks, he’s done that in his career. So bringing him in to really push the group, but also he knows the language, he knows how to run certain run types.”

“So I think that as he gets his reps in there the guys will be able to see the pace we’re looking for and all the those things. Even from a pass protection standpoint,” Canales added. “So I just love having that experience, we did the same thing on defense with some guys who have been in our defensive scheme, it really does elevate the intelligence of the whole group.”

Given the combination of talent and experience in the Panthers backfield along with the organization’s desire to improve given last season’s outcome, there’s no doubt that there will be plenty of competition in Charlotte this offseason at running back. Which can hopefully bring the best out of Carolina’s offense during the 2024 season.

“I think it’s a great thing for us and I think our approach is to not let good players get out of here in terms of that room. As we come along and as we challenge them to compete we’re going to see some great effort,” Canales concluded.