Bucs OC Dave Canales reportedly emerging as ‘serious contender’ for Panthers’ HC job

Often times, it’s not about what you know, it’s about who you know. But luckily for Dave Canales, it could be about both.

According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator is considered a “serious contender” for the Carolina Panthers’ head-coaching job. Not too long after that nugget, Joe Person of The Athletic tweeted that the potential union is “gaining momentum.”

These sentiments come off the heels of Monday’s news, which saw the Panthers promote Dan Morgan to the president of football operations and general manager positions. Perhaps not so coincidentally, Morgan and Canales both began their behind-the-scenes careers in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks in 2010.

The two worked in the same building for eight seasons, where Morgan started as a scouting intern and Canales as a wide receivers coach. Morgan worked his way up the ranks there, picking up stints as the assistant director of pro personnel and director of pro personnel.

Canales rose as well, eventually receiving bumps to the quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator roles. He wouldn’t disappoint in those opportunities either, helping Russell Wilson average 3,720.8 yards, 32.8 touchdowns and 7.8 interceptions over four seasons and aiding Geno Smith to a career campaign in 2022.

The 42-year-old play-caller has just done the same with Baker Mayfield. Mayfield notched career-highs in completion percentage (64.3), passing yards (4,044) and passing touchdowns (28) in 2023.

As of now, Canales is one of four known head-coaching candidates to receive interest for a second interview from Carolina. Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, who has since reportedly been hired by the Tennessee Titans, were the other three.