**Making offensive improvements** was a top goal for both the **New Orleans Saints** and **Carolina Panthers** this offseason.
New Orleans and Carolina embark on their pivotal journey as they clash this **Sunday afternoon** in the **season opener**.
**Carolina** took a significant step by hiring new **head coach Dave Canales** in January, hoping he would be the catalyst to help **second-year quarterback Bryce Young** flourish. Canales, who was the **offensive coordinator** for the **Tampa Bay Buccaneers** in 2023, played an instrumental role in quarterback **Baker Mayfield** having the best season of his career.
“We want to establish the run, create the run, but obviously we’re going to try to get the ball downfield,” said **Young**. “I think for us it’s about creating as efficient an operation as possible.”
Carolina endured a **2-15** season last year, with Young, the **No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft**, struggling behind an offensive line that surrendered the second-most sacks (65) in the league and failed to find rhythm in the run game.
To alleviate pressure on **Young**, the **Panthers** bolstered their line by signing **veteran guards Robert Hunt** and **Damien Lewis** during free agency.
“I have all the confidence in the world in my **offensive line**,” Young said. “I have a lot of confidence in the program we have.”
Carolina also sought to equip Young with stronger offensive weapons, using the last pick of the first round to select **South Carolina’s Xavier Legette**. The Panthers further supplemented their receiving corps by acquiring **Diontae Johnson**, who played five seasons with the **Pittsburgh Steelers**.
In New Orleans, **Derek Carr** started all 17 games for the Saints last season, finishing with a **9-8** record and throwing for **3,878 yards** and **25 touchdowns** against just eight interceptions. The Saints hit their stride late, winning **four** of their final **five games**.
The **Saints** aim to carry that late-season momentum into the current season with the introduction of **Klint Kubiak** as their new **offensive coordinator**. Kubiak, who was the **49ers’ passing game coordinator** in 2023, also served as an assistant with the **Denver Broncos** and **Minnesota Vikings**.
Kubiak’s incorporation of Niners star **Christian McCaffrey** into San Francisco’s passing game last year has fueled New Orleans’ hope that versatile running back **Alvin Kamara** will be utilized similarly.
“I think that’s Klint’s goal and that’s everyone’s goal,” **Kamara** said. “That’s what you’d expect, an increase in production. When you look at what they’ve been able to produce, it’s exciting. … Hopefully, we can do the same here.”
New Orleans, like Carolina, anticipates improved play from its offensive line, set to feature **three new starters**.
**Trevor Penning**, a first-round pick in the **2022 draft**, has been shifted from **left tackle** to **right tackle**. **Taliese Fuaga**, selected out of **Oregon State** in this year’s first round, is slotted to start at **left tackle**, and **Lucas Patrick** is expected to start at **left guard** after being signed as a free agent.
On the defensive front, **defensive tackle Khalen Saunders** (calf) and linebackers **Jaylan Ford** (hamstring) and **D’Marco Jackson** (calf) were unable to practice for the Saints on Wednesday. Cornerback **Marshon Lattimore** was limited with a **hip injury**.
For the **Panthers**, tight ends **Ian Thomas** (calf) and **Tommy Tremble** (hamstring/back) missed Wednesday’s practice. Running back **Miles Sanders** was also limited by a **finger injury**.
