Bucs Players React To Dave Canales’ Departure To Panthers

Tampa Bay right tackle Luke Goedeke spoke with Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds and had this to say about Dave Canales leaving the team to become Carolina’s head coach.

“Obviously I wish him the best moving forward,” Goedeke said. “Dave is a great offensive coordinator. He brought energy and instilled confidence in all of us, day in and day out. He was just very motivated and super uplifting. I have nothing but respect for him.

“It definitely is going to present a new challenge for us twice a year just because of how great of a coach he is. I mean he just changes the looks on offense and makes it difficult for defenses to defend, so this could be a challenge for us for sure. But there’s nothing I don’t think that that we can handle.”

Bucs wide receiver Deven Thompkins was shocked at the news of Canales’ departure, and was made aware of it on a phone call with Pewter Report’s Adam Slivon.

“I’m really happy for him,” Thompkins said. “He’s been in the league for awhile. That’s amazing. I will have to learn a whole new offense. It’ll be my third offense in three years.”

Bucs running back Chase Edmonds, who was a free agent signing this year, appreciated Canales’ time in Tampa Bay.

“I’m obviously excited for Dave,” Edmonds said. “He’s a great coach and great leader. He knows how to lead and guide a group through the ebbs and flows of a season. He did a great job with Baker Mayfield, too. The success of the offense shows as we got better and better throughout the season. It’s a tremendous opportunity for him.”

Bucs Players Voice Support For Thad Lewis As Dave Canales Replacement

If the Bucs want to continue to use Dave Canales’ system and stay in-house for the sake of continuity, Tampa Bay quarterbacks coach Thad Lewis may be considered a front-runner. The offensive players Pewter Report spoke with on Thursday were excited about the possibility of Lewis getting the promotion to run Tampa Bay’s offense.

“Thad – he’s a great coach,” Bucs right tackle Luke Goedeke said. “He knows ball real well – obviously from his playing days and just really transitioned nicely into his coaching role. He’s obviously around the quarterbacks more than me, but just from what I’ve seen he has a great grasp of the of the offense just in general. So we’ll see what happens.”

Tampa Bay wide receiver and return specialist Deven Thompkins had Lewis as his position coach during his rookie year, as Lewis was the Bucs assistant receivers coach in 2022 before becoming the QBs coach this past season.

“I love Thad,” Thompkins said. “He’s smart, he’s really smart. Former player, too. Man, he’d be a great addition as the offensive coordinator if that happens.”

Reserve running back Chase Edmonds loves Lewis’ relatability given his background as a former NFL quarterback.
“Thad’s my guy,” Edmonds said. “Being a former player is helpful when in the heat of the moment and players being able to relate to the coach.”

The Bucs plan on interviewing candidates outside of the organization, as head coach Todd Bowles alluded to possibility in Monday’s press conference if Tampa Bay lost Canales to a head-coaching position this offseason.

“We would have to [have an interview process],” Bowles said. “We’ve got a lot of qualified guys here and there’s some qualified guys outside. We’ll see.”

– Pewter Report’s Adam Slivon contributed to this story.