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Dave Canales’ Bold Play-Calling Shift Signals Panthers Growth

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Alain Pierre | Last updated Feb 25, 2026 4:18 PM ET

Leadership comes in many different shapes and forms. But all great leaders share traits that feel almost like common sense. The ability to understand the people you manage, to own the decisions you make, and to be willing to put your ego aside for the greater good.

That is exactly what makes Dave Canales’ latest move such a powerful statement.

After two seasons as the Panthers’ primary play-caller, Canales has handed offensive play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Brad Idzik. To some, the decision raised eyebrows. To others, it sparked debate. But labeling it as a demotion or a sign of instability misses the point entirely.

This is not a step backward. It’s a strategic step forward.

Growth Demands Adjustment

During the Canales era, the Panthers have grown on both sides of the ball. The win totals improved each season — from two wins to five, to eight, and a playoff berth. Personnel have improved. The philosophy has matured. There is a clearer identity within the building.

But growth also demands evolution.

Carolina’s offense, while efficient at times, ranked 23rd and 27th in scoring over the last two seasons. The downfield passing rate dipped from 11 percent in 2024 to just 8 percent in 2025. There were moments when the offense felt conservative, predictable, or overly cautious.

That doesn’t erase the progress. It simply highlights the next step.

And the next step requires perspective.

From Coordinator Mindset to Head Coach Vision

Many great coaches have won Super Bowls while calling plays. Some have done it offensively. Others, like Mike Macdonald, have shown it can be done from the defensive side of the ball. But what Canales recognized is that what worked early in his tenure may not be what unlocks the next level of this team.

Being locked into one side of the ball — studying formations, sequencing calls, reacting snap to snap — naturally narrows your focus. That’s the job of a coordinator.

But the job of a head coach is bigger.

Canales understands that if he remains hyper-focused on offensive play design, other critical areas can suffer: situational awareness, game management, special teams adjustments, communication with officials, and in-the-moment player development. He has openly acknowledged that calling plays sometimes limited his ability to manage challenges or immediately correct details as players came on and off the field.

The next level for Carolina will require attention to detail across the entire roster. That means seeing the offense — and the team — from a different perspective.

Trusting Brad Idzik

Jul 24, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Brad Idzik watches the quarterbacks run drills during training camp. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

Handing play-calling duties to Brad Idzik is not a gamble rooted in desperation. It is a move rooted in trust and continuity.

At 34 years old, Idzik will call plays in the regular season for the first time. But he is far from unprepared. He has worked alongside Canales in Seattle, Tampa Bay, and Carolina. He has coached receivers and quarterbacks. He has been deeply involved in the weekly game-planning process and has built strong relationships within the locker room.

Most importantly, he has developed a strong rapport with quarterback Bryce Young.

Young’s growth is the centerpiece of this franchise’s future. The relationship between coach and quarterback has faced adversity, including Young’s benching during his second season. Yet since regaining the starting role, Young has shown resilience and improvement.

By giving Idzik full control of play-calling, Canales is empowering someone who is in the meeting rooms daily, immersed in the small moments that shape quarterback development. It could open the door for a more aggressive, confident offensive identity — one that pushes the ball downfield while maintaining efficiency.

The Steadying Presence of Experience

The addition of Darrell Bevell as assistant head coach and offensive specialist further strengthens this transition. Bevell brings decades of experience, including play-calling during Seattle’s back-to-back Super Bowl appearances.

His presence ensures that Idzik is not navigating this new responsibility alone. Instead, the Panthers have layered youth, continuity, and experience into one collaborative structure.

This is not a reactionary change. It is an organizational adjustment designed to streamline preparation and maximize game-day execution.

Leadership Over Ego

The most impressive part of this move isn’t schematic. It’s personal.

Canales worked for over a decade for the opportunity to call plays in the NFL. It became a core part of his coaching identity. Walking away from that especially after a division title requires humility.

He admitted the decision was difficult. He admitted it was humbling.

But great leadership isn’t about holding onto what makes you comfortable. It’s about recognizing what gives your team the best chance to grow.

Canales is choosing to zoom out so the Panthers can level up.

Risk, Reward, and the Next Step

There will be scrutiny. There will likely be growing pains. Idzik will have nervous moments. That is inevitable.

But standing still carries risk too. The Panthers’ playoff appearance was a breakthrough not the finish line. If this team wants to move from competitive to truly dangerous, refinement and perspective are required.

This move reflects a coach who sees the details, understands the imperfections, and is willing to adjust before complacency sets in.

The Panthers are not satisfied. And neither is their head coach.

In a league where ego often overrides evolution, Dave Canales made a different choice. He chose leadership.

And that decision may ultimately define this next chapter of Carolina football.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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