Bucs WRs Coach Being Pursued By Panthers

In a move that should surprise no one, the Panthers have requested permission to speak with Bucs wide receivers coach Brad Idzik. JC Allen first reported the news on Friday and Idzik confirmed that report to Pewter Report on Saturday.

New Panthers head coach Dave Canales brought Idzik, his long-time friend from their days in Seattle with the Seahawks, to Tampa Bay last season when he became the Bucs offensive coordinator. Canales hired Idzik and made him a first-time wide receivers coach with the Bucs.

Now Canales wants to bring Idzik to Carolina, perhaps as offensive coordinator in a non-play-calling role. Canales, who was a first-time play-caller in Tampa Bay, is expected to serve in a dual capacity as a head coach and call plays for the Panthers offense.

Canales is the second Bucs offensive assistant that has been requested to interview elsewhere. The Las Vegas Raiders and Buffalo Bills have requested to interview Tampa Bay quarterbacks coach Thad Lewis for their vacant offensive coordinator roles. Lewis was instrumental in aiding in Baker Mayfield’s adjustment to Canales’ offense and his career year in Tampa Bay.

Brad Idzik Did A Great Job With Bucs Wide Receivers

For a first-year wide receivers coach, Brad Idzik was phenomenal in his work with Tampa Bay’s pass catchers. Mike Evans, a 10-year veteran, had a bounce back year from last season when he scored just six touchdowns. Evans, who was in a contract year, made his fifth Pro Bowl and was named second-team All-Pro after catching 79 passes for 1,255 yards (15.9 avg.) and 13 touchdowns, which tied Miami’s Tyreek Hill for the most receiving TDs in the NFL this year.

The Bucs’ other starting wide receiver Chris Godwin had his third straight 1,000-yard season, and the fourth of his career. Godwin finished with 83 catches for 1,024 yards (12.3 avg.) and two touchdowns.

Idzik was also instrumental in the development of rookie wide receiver Trey Palmer, a sixth-round pick, who overcame some early inconsistency to have a strong finish to the 2023 season. Palmer had 39 catches for 385 yards (9.9 avg.) and three touchdowns during the regular season. He was the Bucs’ third-leading receiver in the postseason with three catches for 88 yards, including a 56-yard touchdown against Philadelphia in Tampa Bay’s 32-9 Wild Card win.

It’s not a lock that Idzik follows Dave Canales to Carolina, although the odds are that he will if offered a promotion that comes with a bigger salary. Idzik just got engaged during the season, and his parents live in Tampa. He loves living in the area and working for the Bucs, so there is a chance he could opt to stay for the sake of continuity in his personal life.