offGrid NFL - Panthers hire Buccaneers’ Dave Canales as new head coach

In a surprising move, the Carolina Panthers are planning to hire Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales as their new head coach, sources announced on Thursday.

Canales impressed Tepper and Panthers brass with an in-person interview Wednesday, and Carolina wasted no time in giving the former Seahawks assistant for its top job.

Panthers are hiring Buccaneers’ offensive Dave Canales as their new head coach, per sources. Panthers have offered the job and Canales is taking it. “It will get done,” per source. pic.twitter.com/yddN1uEKyd
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 25, 2024

The decision comes following speculation that former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel was being lined up for the Panthers’ vacancy, with Lions OC Ben Johnson and Cowboys DC Dan Quinn also linked. But the move for Canales reunites a relationship with their new general manager Dan Morgan, recently promoted from an assistant GM role, as the two worked together from 2010-2017 in Seattle.

Canales was a first-time offensive coordinator in 2023, overseeing a career revival from quarterback Baker Mayfield and helping the Buccaneers win a third straight NFC South title to advance to the playoffs, where they upset the defending NFC champion, the Philadelphia Eagles, in the wild-card round.

Here's a taste of what Dave Canales brings to the table, from the video linked below https://t.co/fqgUdLWF0N pic.twitter.com/SquZAxYjl1
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) January 25, 2024

The 42-year-old will be tasked with helping 2023 No. 1 pick Bryce Young, whose rookie-year struggles reportedly fueled previous coach Frank Reich’s in-season dismissal.