New Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales met with team owner David Tepper after just one game at the helm.

“It means a lot to me to be able to connect with him,” the coach told reporters Wednesday after Sunday’s 47-10 loss to the New Orleans Saints. “… To be able to talk about the state of our organization and follow the games. I’m looking forward to that process. … Those are private conversations that I’m going to keep to myself.”

Finally, the Panthers have in their official notice of Canales’ hiring in January that he would report directly to Tepper. These conversations are certainly part of that reporting process, as the two important figures in the organization discuss the factual state of the union.

Nevertheless, it was a bumpy start to Canales’ career as head coach.

The Saints built a 17-0 lead before the end of the first quarter and extended it to 30-3 by halftime. The result was never in doubt, and it was another poor result for a Carolina team looking to rebound from last season’s 2-15 record.

Frankly, the NFC South team is still trying to absorb the transfer from the Chicago Bears before the 2023 season.

Carolina sent Chicago’s star wide receiver DJ Moore, the Nos. 9 and 61 picks of the 2023 draft, a 2024 first-round pick that became the No. 1 overall pick, and a 2025 second-round pick in exchange for the No. 1 pick of the 2023 draft.

The Bears were able to convert this haul into Caleb Williams, their starting quarterback, Darnell Wright, a starting offensive tackle, Tyrique Stevenson, the starting cornerback who was just named NFC Defensive Player of the Week, and Tory Taylor and Moore, a starting punter.

Meanwhile, the Panthers used their No. 1 pick on Bryce Young, which currently looks like a mistake since reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year CJ Stroud went No. 2 to the Houston Texans.

Young has 11 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions in his career and had two turnovers in the loss to the Saints.

It seems there will be more losing matches in Canales’ future before things in Carolina possibly take a turn for the better.