Could Dave Canales turn to some familiar faces in pursuit of molding the best Carolina Panthers coaching staff to take the team forward?
Dave Canales is starting his first official day as Carolina Panthers head coach. There is a lot of hard work ahead, but his previous working relationship with the team's president of football operations/general manager Dan Morgan should allow for a smooth transition.
One of the first objectives for Canales is forming a coaching staff. Many expect owner David Tepper to keep special teams coordinator Chris Tabor and defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. However, the latter could state his desire to leave with Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated expecting the Los Angeles Rams to make a bold bid for his services after Raheem Morris became Atlanta Falcons head coach.
Canales could look to both his previous employers - the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks - for potential additions. Considering Pete Carroll is no longer around and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron went to the Chicago Bears, the NFC West team's uncertainty could be something to exploit.
With this in mind, here are three assistants that Canales should consider bringing with him this offseason.
Carolina Panthers could steal Andy Dickerson
It's hard to envisage a scenario where offensive line coach James Campen is kept on under his third Carolina Panthers head coach. To be honest, one has to question whether the experienced figure wants to stay with the franchise after witnessing so much turmoil.
If the coach and player go their separate ways as expected, Dave Canales could try and tempt Andy Dickerson from the Seattle Seahawks, who were top-10 in sacks allowed per game this season. He's got bags of experience at the collegiate and NFL levels. He's got knowledge on both sides of the football. He's also recently interviewed for the vacant offensive coordinator position with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Dickerson is exactly the sort of coach Carolina needs for its offensive line. Giving him increased responsibilities in an assistant head coach capacity might sweeten the pot, but there appears to be interest in his services elsewhere.
Carolina Panthers could steal Brad Idzik
This one looks to be the most obvious after factoring everything into the equation.
Dave Canales and Brad Idzik are closely associated. The pair worked together closely during their successful stint with the Seattle Seahawks. When the new Carolina Panthers head coach got the offensive coordinator position in Tampa Bay, it wasn't long before the other aforementioned staff member also made the trip down south.
Idzik specializes in wide receiver growth, something he's done with great effect throughout his NFL coaching career. He's drawn praise for his work to progress the likes of Tyler Lockett, D.K. Metcalf, Mke Evans, and Chris Godwin in recent years. While some of those were already prolific performers, the coach's methods have assisted in taking their respective contributions to new heights.
With Canales confirmed as Carolina's play-caller moving forward, bringing Idzik along as his offensive coordinator would allow him to be part of the game-day planning from week to week. He'd also play a significant role in the development of the Panthers' skill positions, which were underwhelming at best in 2023.
This makes too much sense, in all honesty. It also represents a natural progression for Idzik into a coordinator position. Having someone in the building aside from Dan Morgan who knows how Canales likes to operate is only going to mean good things in the short and long term.
Carolina Panthers could steal Sanjay Lal
It looked for a long time as if Sanjay Lal might be joining Shane Waldron on the Chicago Bears. The Seattle Seahawks passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach interviewed with the NFC North team recently. But a recent report from Jeremy Fowler of ESPN revealed that the impressive coach has officially withdrawn interest.
This set the rumor mill ablaze. Could it be a coincidence that Lal distancing himself from the Bears came almost immediately after Dave Canales - someone he's worked with before - became Carolina Panthers head coach? Could it mean a quick call was made between the two in pursuit of tempting him away from his intended destination?
Time will tell on that front. But make no mistake, Lal would be a tremendous addition to Carolina's coaching staff if Canales could pull it off.
Lal is vastly experienced when it comes to offensive strategies and wide receiver development. He's worked with some of the league's best with prestigious teams such as the Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, and Indianapolis Colts, achieving great success almost everywhere.
This might have to be in the offensive coordinator position to convince Lal to take the plunge, While that could be complicated if Brad Idzik is after a similar role, Canales' silver tongue could be enough to convince both to join the Panthers as part of his ambitious plans to get this once-proud organization off its knees and into contention.