What Bryce Young thinks about Panthers hiring Dave Canales

It's widely assumed that the Carolina Panthers hired Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales to be their next head coach because of Canales' history of improving quarterbacks. 

According to Joseph Person of The Athletic, Carolina signal-caller Bryce Young is a fan of the club's move. 

"The Panthers stayed in touch with Young’s representatives throughout the search," Person explained. "A source close to Young and his representation said the No. 1 pick is optimistic about Canales and likes that he’s young with a strong track record with quarterbacks."

The Buccaneers hired Canales last winter before they signed quarterback Baker Mayfield to a one-year "prove it" contract. Canales later pointed out in the spring that he understood how to work with shorter signal-callers "to try and get them concepts where they have better vision and different things," and he's since been credited with helping Mayfield become a Comeback Player of the Year candidate. 

Of course, Mayfield and Young differ in many ways. While Mayfield is listed at 6-foot-1 and 215 pounds, Young measured at 5-foot-10 1/8 and weighed 204 pounds at last year's scouting combine. 

Earlier this month, one-time Most Valuable Player and current CBS Sports NFL analyst Boomer Esiason said that Young was "not physically ready to play in the NFL" following a rough rookie season for the 22-year-old. 

According to ESPN stats, Young ended this past regular season ranked 29th in the league among qualified players with a 33.3 adjusted QBR, 34th with a 73.7 passer rating, 33rd with a 59.8% completion percentage and 34th with an average of 5.5 yards per pass attempt. Across 16 games, he notched 11 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. 

"He's got a knack for scheming an offense that plays to the quarterback's strengths and the strength of those around him," ESPN's David Newton said about Canales. 

If such strengths don't result in Young making significant improvements over the next 12 months, Canales and Co. may spend next winter searching for an upgrade at the position.