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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 Network reports.
A report from earlier this week famous that Canales drew rave reviews from the Panthers’ entrance workplace throughout his first interview. A follow-up meeting was in place, and it has clearly gone effectively. Carolina was lengthy linked to pursuing a coach with an offensive background, and the crew has certainly adopted by way of in that regard.
Nonetheless, the transfer comes as a shock given Canales’ lack of expertise relative to various 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 general manager earlier this week.
Canales wore various hats with the Seahawks, working with the crew from 2010-22. He labored with the crew’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 12 months with a career-best efficiency in 2022 upped his inventory significantly. Taking over the Tampa OC posting, he set himself up for one more reclamation challenge of kinds with Baker Mayfield.
The previous No. 1 choose outperformed expectations below Canales’ steerage, throwing a career-high 28 landing passes and posting a 94.6 passer score, the second-highest mark of his profession. Mayfield is due to this fact a candidate for a long-term Bucs settlement. If that materializes, nonetheless, 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 enthusiastic about Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson throughout final yr’s hiring cycle, and that remained the case in 2024. Johnson – who has received considerable interest from various different groups – was reported to be the Panthers’ top target. 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.
In fact, a central cause within the Panthers’ continued pursuit of Johnson was his work with Lions QB Jared Goff. Creating 2023 first general choose Bryce Young would be the high precedence for Canales after he endured a disappointing rookie marketing campaign. Younger’s struggles weren’t fully of his personal doing, however signficant strides can 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 also needs to 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 outdoor 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, nonetheless, Reich was let go, an indication of the status for impatience that proprietor David Tepper has generated in recent times particularly. Tepper’s private involvement in various key personnel and roster choices has additionally led many to imagine high HC candidates would keep away from Carolina. The crew has nonetheless managed to seek out its subsequent coach sooner than various 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.
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