CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales didn't pull any punches when reacting to the team's lack of primetime games in 2024.
Simply put, Canales said Carolina hasn't earned the right to play under the lights on national TV. The Panthers are the only NFL team to have zero primetime games this season on the heels of a dreadful 2-15 campaign in 2023.
"You've gotta earn primetime games," Canales said. "Those things don't just come along. You don't just start out that way and they don't just throw you on primetime games for no reason. We have to build a version of football we're proud of and be able to accentuate the strengths and talents of our guys and I think that the world will want to see that at some point. we've got a long way to go and we've got to earn those types of opportunities."
For a first-year head coach like Canales, any bit of motivation helps, and if the team can turn this alleged disrespect into fuel, it could benefit the team. And it's not like they won't have any high-profile games, with both the Dallas Cowboys and reigning Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs coming to Charlotte.
Canales addressed the team's schedule during media availability on Monday as the Panthers kicked off voluntary workouts. Most players were on hand, but there were a few notable absences, including kicker Eddy Peineiro and veteran pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney, who signed with the team during free agency.
Panthers OTA workouts will continue through June 6 before mandatory minicamp from June 11-3.
Locked On is the leading podcast network for local sports and is owned by WCNC Charlotte's parent company TEGNA.
Listen to Locked On here.
All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.