INDIANAPOLIS — Dave Canales has a whole team to coach, so he's going to pass off part of his responsibilities.
The Panthers coach told reporters Tuesday at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine that offensive coordinator Brad Idzik was going to call plays this year, so he could take a more global approach to the team.
Canales called plays through the first two seasons of his tenure here, and the Panthers improved from two wins to five to eight and a playoff berth last year.
But he wanted to take a more global approach to this season.
This will be the first play-calling assignment for the 34-year-old Idzik, who came here with Canales two years ago from Tampa Bay, but was also with him in Seattle. He has called some regular-season games, but this is an expansion of that responsibility.
Idzik, who played wide receiver at Wake Forest, has coached receivers and quarterbacks during his time with the Seahawks, and has taken on an active role with Bryce Young and the entire offense the last two years.
Canales has always valued developing his coaches, going back to the days when Pete Carroll gave him chances in the preseason.
"He would always challenge me to say, 'Hey, you've got to see more," Canales said of the training Carroll gave him. "You can't just be staring at the receiver's release this whole time. If you want to be a coordinator, see what everybody's doing. Did you notice this pass protection was messed up?'
"So, it really does expand your mind when you have to start thinking about the calls beyond just coaching your position."
And for Canales, it allows him to expand his focus as well.
Check out some of our favorite photos of offensive coordinator Brad Idzik throughout the 2025 season.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Wednesday, Sep. 10, 2025 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers take on the Arizona Cardinals on Sep. 17, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Alex Herko//Carolina Panthers)
The Carolina Panthers face the New England Patriots on Sunday, Sep. 28, 2025 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA.
The Carolina Panthers take on the Miami Dolphins on Oct. 5, 2025, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by Alex Herko//Carolina Panthers)
The Carolina Panthers face the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI.
The Carolina Panthers face the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI.
The Carolina Panthers face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL
The Carolina Panthers face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL
The Carolina Panthers face the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2025 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2025 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
