After fielding an opening question about his workout routine — a quick circuit wth an incline walk —, a reporter got right to it with first-year Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales. What’s the plan to fix Bryce Young?

In short, there is no plan to “fix” the former No. 1 overall pick and Alabama star. Instead, Canales explained how he’s building a detailed plan for Young, referencing his prior experience with quarterback development.

“We gotta create more explosives, and of course, we have to minimize damage with exotic pressures and things like that. I think just elevating the whole group and really asking Bryce to just do his part,” Canales said at NFL Scouting Combine. “Without getting into the specifics of it, I have a lot more chance to really dive into some film since the last time we‘ve talked. I have a specific plan, can’t wait to put that into play. But again, we’re not talking about a guy that there’s a big fix for, really.

“You’re looking at an accurate player. A really smart player. He’s aware of what’s happening and we got to build the whole thing around him, the whole offense around him of something we can really say, ‘This is our identity.’”

Canales, named to his first NFL head coaching job on Jan. 25 after a horrid 2-15 season under Frank Reich, has coached skilled throwers throughout his coaching tenure, notably triggering a career resurgence for Geno Smith with the Seattle Seahawks in 2022. Last season in Tampa Bay, his first as offensive coordinator, Baker Mayfield set personal bests in passing yards, touchdowns and completion percentage. Now leading another former Heisman Award winner in Young, Canales is tasked with getting more from the Panthers’ face of the franchise.

His plan comes from longtime boss and current Dallas Cowboys coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. In Seattle, Schottenheimer instructed Canales to create a report on Russell Wilson before they ever sat down for the first time. It’s exactly what Schottenheimer did before working with Andrew Luck, Drew Brees and Phillip Rivers. The package comprised game cut-ups highlighting key areas of improvement and the player’s strengths.

Canales is making Young’s version with quarterback coach Will Harriger and offensive coordinator Brad Idzik in Carolina.

“(Schottenheimer) challenged me. He said you will earn another level of respect with Russell Wilson by approaching it from a detailed standpoint. So we’re really working on that. I really respect Bryce and the road that’s taken him to hear and I want to be able to present something to him that’s tangible,” Canales added.

Young finished last season with a 59.8% completion rate for 2,877 yards, 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. At a media event during Super Bowl week earlier this month, Young expressed his desire to get to know his new coaches and return to work. When he does, they’ll have a plan waiting.

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].