The man tabbed to be the new head coach of the Carolina Panthers is a bit of a mystery.
As first reported by NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport on Thursday afternoon, the organization is closing in on hiring Dave Canales to lead their sideline. But with no NFL head-coaching experience and just one season as an offensive coordinator, is the 42-year-old a good hire or not?
Let’s take a look at what some of game’s top reporters, experts and film buffs think about the move:
The book on new Panthers HC Dave Canales: Incredibly bright offensive mind, high football IQ, constant upbeat energy, knows how to relate to players and lead a room. Really well-respected from his time in Tampa and Seattle.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) January 25, 2024
I pounded the table for Canales as the guy for Carolina on LONFLS — love his philosophy of reducing “time under tension” for his OL in protection.
Bryce Young had a negative ANY/A on 247 pressured dropbacks as a rookie…think Canales has the goods to offer answers there.
— Kyle Crabbs (@GrindingTheTape) January 25, 2024
Dave Canales did a really good job marrying intermediate-deep concepts with quick-game esque timing and dropbacks, getting Baker Mayfield attacking seams and holes in zones much quicker than he ever has.
Mayfield was both top 10 in Time to Throw and Average Intended Air Yards,… https://t.co/SjTu06NQ51
— Tyler DeSena (@DeSenaSports) January 25, 2024
One thing I thought Dave Canales did really well in Tampa: Got Baker Mayfield to play *faster.* Averaged the lowest time to throw of his career, and lowest sack rate since 2018.
Will be important for Bryce Young.
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) January 25, 2024
Communicator. Instills confidence in his players.
The 2023 Panthers desperately needed that https://t.co/UCeNkdjVMT
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) January 25, 2024
This is awesome. I thought Canales would be a year away still, but everything I’ve read and heard and seen from him makes me believe he’s got the goods. Might not be an immediate Year 1 leap, but I like this for Carolina https://t.co/1lmMfN8Tan
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) January 25, 2024
I think Canales is a good OC who was probably on his way to being a great one when you look at his improvements this year.
But it won't surprise me if he's a better HC. Soft skills, teaching ability, communication are all major strengths.
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) January 25, 2024
He went on and on for about 30+ minutes about it and explaining each in great detail. I’m not surprised to see how much he’s helped Geno and Baker in their careers. The ultimate teacher and I’m excited to see what he can do for Bryce Young.
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) January 25, 2024
New Panthers coach Dave Canales and GM Dan Morgan spent eight years together in Seattle—and for what it's worth Canales has good history working with athletic, and diminutive, quarterbacks.
The 45-year-old's really well-liked across the NFL. Lots of folks happy for him today.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 25, 2024
1. Not surprised at all. Canales has a long history w/new Panthers GM Dan Morgan. Always made sense.
2. This SUCKS for the Bucs. Made a ton of progress throughout the season, and now, back to square one on offense.
3. Stoked for Dave. Helluva leader who deserves this.
— Luke Easterling (@LukeEasterling) January 25, 2024
Dave Canales is a SPECTACULAR hire by the @Panthers specifically for Bryce Young. Canales helped relaunch the careers of Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield in back to back years by building the offense around their strengths in his west coast scheme. Excited to see him work with Bryce pic.twitter.com/39pgtu21pb
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) January 25, 2024
Canales is a genuinely great hire for Carolina.
They must have paid him an unbelievable amount of money lol
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) January 25, 2024
