Panthers’ Dave Canales to give play-calling to offensive coordinator Brad Idzik
The Panthers will have a new offensive play-caller in 2026.
Coach Dave Canales said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis that he plans to hand over that responsibility to offensive coordinator Brad Idzik for the upcoming season.
Canales had been the primary offensive play-caller, despite Idzik’s title, in each of the two previous seasons.
“This is something all of us collectively have talked about as an organization,” Canales told reporters in the Indiana Convention Center on Tuesday. “It was my idea. And (I came to it) just kind of looking back and reflecting on it, and thinking about how we’ve grown this offense, and really wanting to advance our football on the offensive side primarily.”
Canales said that Idzik’s “continuity with the system” and the players — especially soon-to-be fourth-year quarterback Bryce Young — was among many factors that led to this decision.
Also? The opportunity for Canales to grow as a head coach.
“This is a great opportunity for me to be more involved,” the third-year head coach said. “The first year, as you could imagine, just really fully throwing myself into the offensive side of it and just having different conversations with different parts of our team. The second year, (I) started to broaden my perspective more to be involved with special teams and defense.
“And now this step allows me to do that in a greater way.”
Carolina finished 29th and 27th in total yards in 2024 and 2025 respectively. The offensive finished 23rd and 27th in points per game during those two seasons as well.
Brad Idzik, Panthers’ new play-caller for the offense
During Canales’ first two seasons in Carolina, the offense struggled to find consistency. Despite winning the NFC South in 2025, it was clear that the offense needed some retooling to find an improved rhythm, particularly in play-call sequencing.
While Idzik was charged with leading the weekly offensive meetings and crafting plays, Canales handled the play-calling on game days. The Panthers saw improved play from quarterback Bryce Young in his second season under Canales, but the unit’s overall production regressed in several notable categories.
Canales also struggled at times with managing the game, as he was already heavily focused on the offense.
In theory, handing the play-calling duties over to Idzik should alleviate some of the quirks of having a head coach as a play-caller.
Canales’ strengths are his leadership and communication skills. If he is no longer burdened with the play-calling responsibilities, he can focus on the bigger picture, including defensive and special teams meetings and managing the sideline on Sundays.
Idzik can now craft and call his own plays within Canales’ system. He will be an offensive coordinator in earnest for the first time in his career, and the new responsibilities will help him take charge in that role. He will also be able to lean on newly hired associate head coach Darrell Bevell, who has 15 years of offensive coordinator experience.
Bevell was hired by the Panthers earlier this month. Along with the title of associate coach, he will also be credited as offensive specialist.
Bevell can be a sounding board for both Canales and Idzik as they transition responsibilities entering the duo’s third season together. Young should also benefit from Bevell’s involvement, as the longtime NFL assistant has worked with several talented quarterbacks, including Trevor Lawrence, Russell Wilson, Brett Favre and Matthew Stafford.
This story was originally published February 24, 2026 at 2:03 PM.
