Ranking the 8 NFL head coach hirings this offseason

3. Dave Canales, Carolina Panthers

Canales spent last season helping Baker Mayfield have a bounceback year as the Bucs offensive coordinator and did the same thing in 2022 as Geno Smith’s QB coach in Seattle. He is 42 years old, but his resume is already strong. There is no reason why Canales can’t break into the upper echelon of offensive head coaches in 2024.

This hire received a lot of backlash, but it is confusing why. Canales may not have the same amount of experience as others who were considered for the job, but it could be argued that his ceiling is as high as any other candidate. The only thing that matters for the Panthers next season is the development of Bryce Young. Carolina must turn him into a franchise quarterback and Canales has shown on multiple occasions that he is capable of doing that.

Special thanks to Panthers HC Dave Canales for taking the time to chat with me following today's introductory press conference.

We discuss how he plans to turn this franchise around, working with Bryce Young and his message to the fans.#KeepPounding | #NFL | @TheCoachCanales |… pic.twitter.com/cIDLGJmjdX

— Ashley Stroehlein (@ashstro) February 1, 2024