DENVER, Colo. — Carolina Panthers coach Dave Canales was headed toward the locker room following Sunday’s 28-14 loss to the Denver Broncos when he returned to the tunnel to greet remaining players as they excited Empower Field after their fifth straight loss.
He slapped hands with most of them, but he greeted quarterback Bryce Young with a hug.
There were things Canales liked about Young’s performance in his first start since being benched following an 0-2 beginning to the season. The No. 1 pick of the 2023 draft led a touchdown drive on his first possession — the first time that has happened in his 19 starts — and their last possession.
But many of the issues remained that have left Young’s record at 2-17, tied for the worst 19-game start by any quarterback to begin his career in the Super Bowl era, along with Chris Weinke of the Panthers (2001-02) and Steve DeBerg of the San …