Dave Canales‘ one-year run in Tampa Bay has earned him one other offseason transfer, this time to steer a training workers. The Panthers are nearing a deal to rent the Buccaneers OC as their new head coach, Ian Rapoport of NFL Community reviews.
A report from earlier this week famous that Canales drew rave evaluations from the Panthers’ entrance workplace throughout his first interview. A follow-up assembly was in place, and it has clearly gone nicely. Carolina was lengthy linked to pursuing a coach with an offensive background, and the staff has certainly adopted via in that regard.
Nonetheless, the transfer comes as a shock given Canales’ lack of expertise relative to quite a few different candidates. The 42-year-old’s time with the Buccaneers in 2023 marked his first time as a coordinator on the NFL stage. He got here to Tampa Bay after a prolonged tenure in Seattle, throughout which he overlapped with Dan Morgan. The latter was promoted to basic supervisor earlier this week.
Canales wore quite a few hats with the Seahawks, working with the staff from 2010-22. He labored with the staff’s quarterbacks for a lot of his time within the Emerald Metropolis, and his capacity to show Geno Smith right into a Comeback Participant of the Yr with a career-best efficiency in 2022 upped his inventory significantly. Taking over the Tampa OC posting, he set himself up for an additional reclamation mission of types with Baker Mayfield.
The previous No. 1 decide outperformed expectations beneath Canales’ steerage, throwing a career-high 28 landing passes and posting a 94.6 passer ranking, the second-highest mark of his profession. Mayfield is subsequently a candidate for a long-term Bucs settlement. If that materializes, nevertheless, Canales is not going to be in place to proceed working with him, as an alternative turning his consideration to a division rival.
Carolina was fascinated by Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson throughout final 12 months’s hiring cycle, and that remained the case in 2024. Johnson – who has acquired appreciable curiosity from quite a few different groups – was reported to be the Panthers’ high goal. Johnson’s future stays unsure as Detroit prepares for the NFC title sport this weekend, however one other potential touchdown spot for him has now been eradicated.
After all, a central motive within the Panthers’ continued pursuit of Johnson was his work with Lions QB Jared Goff. Creating 2023 first general decide Bryce Younger would be the high precedence for Canales after he endured a disappointing rookie marketing campaign. Younger’s struggles weren’t solely of his personal doing, however signficant strides will probably be required to justify Carolina’s acquisition of the No. 1 slot final spring. Main adjustments alongside the O-line and within the skill-position room must also be anticipated, and people can now occur with a brand new GM and head coach in place.
Within the wake of Canales drawing critical curiosity from the Panthers, it was discovered that Buccaneers QBs coach Thad Lewis was a first-rate candidate to take over as Tampa Bay’s OC. With the previous having agreed to Carolina’s HC gig, will probably be attention-grabbing to see if the latter does get tapped for the promotion. If not, the reigning NFC South winners might want to be part of the competitors for out of doors additions on the coordinator spots.
Frank Reich entered final season with signficant expectations given his monitor document and the workers he assembled. Solely 11 video games into the marketing campaign, nevertheless, Reich was let go, an indication of the popularity for impatience that proprietor David Tepper has generated lately specifically. Tepper’s private involvement in quite a few key personnel and roster choices has additionally led many to imagine high HC candidates would keep away from Carolina. The staff has nonetheless managed to search out its subsequent coach sooner than quite a few others.
As soon as the Canales deal turns into official, the 2024 cycle could have seen 5 hires made. The Falcons, Seahawks and Commanders nonetheless have vacancies on their staffs, and their searches will now proceed with one fewer candidate in the marketplace.
