Just when you thought it couldn’t get any crazier for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this off-season, offensive coordinator Dave Canales has left the Buccaneers to become the new coach of the Carolina Panthers.
Canales just completed his first season as a play caller after spending 13 seasons in Seattle as quarterback coach under Pete Carroll.
Canales Has A History Of Developing Quarterbacks
Canales struggled at times as he learned on the job. But he got better the second half of the season as the Buccaneers won six of their last eight games.
Canales, aka the quarterback whisperer, coached Geno Smith to his best season in Seattle in 2022. That season earned Smith a $75 million contract.
Canales then helped Baker Mayfield have his best season as a pro this past season as Mayfield led the Buccaneers to the playoffs for the fourth straight season.
Canales will now get the opportunity to work with the number one pick in the 2023 draft, Bryce Young, who played well below expectations in Carolina.
Canales told Buccaneer fans on X, “Amazing fans and organization. Thanks to Coach Bowles, the staff, and the amazing players with whom I was honored to work!”
Many Buccaneer players spoke highly of Canales, including wide receiver Mike Evans. “Dave has done a great job. He’s so positive every day. He knows exactly what to say. And he has a really brilliant mind. Any team would be lucky to have him as the head guy.”
So now, in addition to trying to work on new contracts with Mike Evans and Baker Mayfield, the Bucs will be looking for a new play-caller.
Candidates To Be The Buccaneers Offensive Coordinator
Quarterback coach Thad Lewis may also get an interview for the OC position. Although Lewis has just one year as a position coach, he had a huge impact on the season Baker Mayfield had.
On Friday, the Buccaneers announced they would interview LA Chargers offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. This past season, with Moore calling the plays in LA, the Chargers ranked 18th in offense. Moore was in Dallas from 2019-2022 as the offensive coordinator with the Cowboys. During his tenure there, the Cowboys finished in the top ten three times and as the number one offense in 2020. During his time in Dallas, the Cowboys also finished in the top ten three years running the ball.
How does Canales leaving the Buccaneers affect the teams’ ability to sign Baker Mayfield?
It may play a small part in his decision, but the overriding factor will be the money. Mayfield wants to get paid and deserves to get paid after the season he put together in Tampa.
Mayfield has played under six head coaches and seven offensive coordinators in his six years in the league. If he returns to play for the Buccaneers, a new coordinator in Tampa would be the eighth OC that Mayfield has played under in his career.
Ken Dorsey is another name that has been kicked around for the OC job in Tampa. Dorsey has called plays for the Cleveland Browns and the Buffalo Bills.
The Bucs have also asked permission to talk with Zac Robinson of the Los Angeles Rams. Robinson was the quarterbacks coach and passing coordinator for the Rams this past season.
Who would you like to see as the Buccaneers offensive coordinator? Let us know in the comments below.