The Carolina Panthers split play-calling duties between defensive passing game coordinator Jonathan Cooley and new offensive play-caller Brad Idzik during their preseason win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Both got the game ball in head coach Dave Canales' postgame comments, but it's Idzik's performance that matters most for Carolina's 2026 outlook.
"So really proud of the group... Jonathan Cooley called the game on the defensive side today, and it was a fantastic operation, getting the calls in appropriate calls at the right time, really pleased with the rhythm that he had," Canales said, via the team. "And then Brad, same thing on the offensive side, getting the calls in early so the guys could be organized."
Carolina Panthers' offense showed glimpses of what it can become with Brad Idzik calling plays
Canales announced back in February that he was giving up play-calling for the first time in his head coaching career, handing the job to Idzik ahead of OTAs.
The coach leaned on a personal story to explain his confidence in Idzik, recalling his own first shot at play-calling under Todd Bowles with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He said he told Bowles he was "just as ready as I'm going to get without having actually done it", and that's exactly how he feels about his own offensive coordinator now.
The bigger factor might be what the job was costing Canales.
He's admitted publicly that calling plays while also managing the entire team wore on him late in games, including a Week 17 win-and-in scenario against the Buccaneers where Canales struggled to get calls in fast enough to challenge questionable officiating.
As an NFL head coach, Canales has far more responsibilities than simply deciding what play quarterback Bryce Young should run next.
Dave Canales can now focus fully on the entire operation
During his first two seasons in Carolina, calling plays meant he was constantly balancing his responsibilities as the head coach with his responsibilities as the offensive play-caller.
Now, he can focus on the entire roster.
Canales has already explained that he is using that newfound freedom to pay closer attention to individual players, position battles and the overall development of his team. That could be just as important as anything Idzik does with the offense.
And this isn't simply Canales trying to convince everyone that his hand-picked successor is doing well.
Young has called the transition "seamless," while tight end Tommy Tremble said the offense has been "blossoming" with Idzik calling plays.
A big question entering the season was whether Canales would regret giving up the headset. After the first preseason game, there is an increasingly interesting possibility.
He might have made the Panthers' offense better by doing it.
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