TRANSCRIPT
Head Coach Dave Canales
Sunday, January 11, 2026

Opening Statement

Had a great meeting with the group today—players [and] coaches involved. You know, again, just unbelievable to have this kind of opportunity right in front of us. While there is disappointment, we know there is more work out there for us. Just collectively for the whole season to be able to play in this environment, Bank of America Stadium, with the fan base, it was amazing just the whole time through. You could feel it in pre-game as guys were coming out in pre-game it was loud. Every time it was almost like an introduction felt like. It was amazing to be able to find some really good ball in the process, and just unbelievably disappointed we weren't able to get it done at the end. The guys played incredibly hard, battled back, made it a game. The lead changes, I mean, I've been involved in a lot of playoff games, and that was a special one for me in terms of back and forth and the plays being made on both sides really. Again, just can't be more proud of the group and where we are right now.

On T Ikem Ekwonu's injury

Ickey has a ruptured patella tendon and is going to require surgery. Timeline-wise, all those times vary. It's significant. It's going to require surgery. So prayers and thoughts for Ickey. You know, he just battled for us and worked through some things along the season, and just a guy that I love, a guy that I really trust out there. You know, so we'll all be with him the whole way, and wish him a speedy recovery as he comes back. [T] Yosh [Nijman] stepped in and allowed us to play some good ball. Really proud again. Just another moment where somebody had to come and step in, and we've counted on our guys to do that this year.

On if Ekwonu's injury was related to his earlier knee issue

It was not.

On if he knows the timeline for Ekwonu's injury

Yeah, I don't want give any specific timelines.

On Defensive Coordinator Ejiro Evero having time left on his contract and his outlook moving forward with him

I have complete trust in [DC] Ejiro [Evero]. [I] Love the way he's brought this group to play quality football together. He's got my full support. Love our scheme, love what we do there. You know, getting our guys to play together when we execute this scheme, it's really difficult to play against, and the guys have found a way to play together, communicate together, and really like you saw last night in glimpses, just the style of play that we're looking for. The big hits, tackling, you know, the coverage on the back end, and the rush at times. The pressure packages, the different things he was able to do to create rush, to create pressure for quarterbacks. I just love where we are headed that way, and as always, with all our schemes we'll look at it and continue to evolve, push the envelope, and move forward from there.

On the last public knowledge of Evero's contract was set to expire after this season and if that isn't the case

No. We've had conversations beforehand about his contract and his future going forward there, so that will come out whenever it does.

On if Evero signed a contract extension when he was hired

I can't remember the exact dates of it.

On if Evero has signed an extension since he's been hired

Yes.

On if Evero will be the defensive coordinator next season

Absolutely. Yeah, 100 percent.

On if he plans to maintain the role of the offensive play caller

Yes, right now—and again, all these questions and all the stuff we're going to be talking about as a staff coming up in the next couple of days, getting a chance to regroup on the whole season and how it came out. We're always going to look for ways to improve what we're doing.

On how Ekwonu's key's injury impacts the draft and free agency and how they'll approach the offseason

It certainly is something we have to consider just depending on the duration of the injury, knowing we're going to go through a full offseason, and what's the timeline-wise, how does that affect training camp and roster numbers and all that.

On the team gaining a lot of respect nationally with their performance and how that changes things when you go to the offseason where you're maybe a team that teams are chasing as opposed to the underdog

We've operated really well being the underdog. That mentality—I had a friend tell me, we're just that team, you get it out the mud. The guys having that kind of chip on their shoulder to work for everything. Everything is earned. I love this mentality. How do we keep that intact? What are we pursuing? We're trying to find our best, trying to find the best football we can play, and that was the 2025 Panthers. As we go forward in 2026 it will be the same pursuit. I think that works. It's a timeless approach. Can we find our best? That's what we'll be committed to.

On if there is a chance that Ekwonu will miss the start of next season or all of it

I don't know that. Yeah, I don't know. On how getting injured players back can be part of the foundation to continue to ascend and add more talent going forward There is a couple ways you can look at it. First and foremost, it's getting guys here healthy, [OLB] Pat Jones back out there. Obviously now Ickey, making sure the guys we're counting on. [G] Rob Hunt missing most the season. Getting all those guys healthy will certainly help. Developing the guys that we have here currently within our team, whether they came from somewhere else or are new to us as rookies. Just continue to pour into the development there. Then of course [President of Football Operations/General Manager] Dan's [Morgan] job, my job, our job is to challenge this roster every year. It's a combination of all those things moving forward.

On what he learned about this team that he didn't know in the offseason

Just the resilience of the group dealing with adversity in-game, and also through the season with the ebbs and flows of an NFL season. To watch a group just come back to work and to be really curious and coachable. Curious about how we can improve things and then being coachable on the principles and the fundamentals, the things we should be reminding each other of. I just watched a group just take the notes, take the coaching, ask questions, and just keep pressing in so that we can continue to grow in all our phases.

On how he feels about the wide receiver group

It was unbelievable to watch the guys. Just really a culmination of the work that's been happening behind the scenes, at practice, the conversations in the hallways, in meeting rooms. You know, [QB] Bryce [Young] right at the center of all that making be sure we're all on the same page with how we want to get things done and to watch the group really have to find a way to improve that. When we were in a modified mode for a couple weeks with shorter weeks, last week we had the opportunity to have full speed practice without pads on Thursday. Really felt the chemistry of the group come alive in that practice, which was cool just to see like, man, how much we've needed that time on task for this group. To see it come alive in the game and be something we could count on and depend on to play a really good Rams team here was fantastic. To see their energy, to see them not shy away from the moment but to attack it and find wins along the way.

On RB Rico Dowdle's free agency and how he thinks his season went

Yeah, those are all things we'll have to talk about over the next couple days with Dan, Brandt, myself, and the coaches included. We have to evaluate all the guys and see what our next best move is.

On how he would assess his performance as a play caller this year and how much does he have to consider the operation of the offense

Yeah, got to take all those things into consideration, look at the concepts that we're running first and foremost. Are these things that we want to continue with? Do we need to make some tweaks and evolve? I'll be really critical of myself. That's part of my weekly process with our staff, and just having those conversations about how we can put our guys in the best position. But as we continue to grow together, this is a part of it, taking all those things into consideration and just trying to find a way to win. Trying to find a way to put our best football out there and whatever that may look like.

On if he was able to take a moment to soak in being in a playoff game

It was really the whole week. It was such a blessing to be in this position, to play a wildcard game at home, which comes from winning the division, which is the language we use around here. You got to win the first championship first. We were able to win the division to get that home game, to give us the advantage of being in Bank of America Stadium. It was a dream come true. Just gives me a lot of gratitude for Mr. and Mrs. Tepper for giving me the support and opportunity to do this, to work with a bunch of staff, a bunch of players, to get on the same page with the same mindset, you know, to find our best, and to pursue every day like it's fourth and one and to go for it. Just what does a win look like today? We have been asking ourselves that question for two years now. What does a win look like today in these meetings, whatever it is, so that we can continue to advance what we're doing here.

On RB Rico Dowdle saying he wasn't sure why his carries decreased late in the season and if those were decisions that he had with both running backs

Those are conversations that we had as a staff in just trying to put our best foot forward. When you have two backs that you trust, you want to make sure they both touch the ball, and that was the approach we took.

On if this rookie class sets the bar for what classes in the future will look like and what he wants from them

They were very impressive by how they worked. Again, I get to talk about Dan and the amazing job that he's done evaluating the football character with the personal character; the talent as well. All those things have to align in different ways. The guys that I don't get to talk about enough, [K] Ryan Fitzgerald, the job he's done this year in critical situations, giving us an edge on kickoff in different ways, and he's battled through some tough times, too and some opportunities missed. But to come back, to keep battling, to work on his craft. [OLB] Bam Martin Scott, a guy that doesn't get talked about a lot on special teams, the different roles that he's played for us. To be reliable as a rookie on special teams is pretty special. He just flies around. He's got amazing athletic ability, length. His play style, he's got in at linebacker a couple times. He doesn't get all the reps in the week, but to get thrown in there and just play fast is all we ask those guys when we're in a situation where you might be down a guy or two and he has to help out. [CB] Corey Thornton, a guy came along and got an opportunity to start for us for a while in the season, and to watch him progress. You know, three undrafted guys that Dan and our scouts were able to identify to come in here and help us and make a team. That's hard to do for undrafted rookies, but those guys worked their tails off to have opportunities, seize some opportunities, which gives me a lot of faith they'll continue to progress. That goes with the entire rookie class.

I don't get to mention [Vice President of Player Affairs] Kevin Winston and [Assistant Director of Player Engagement] Jaiquawn Jarrett because those guys spend so much time with our rookie group from the time they get here, onboarding them, giving them access and resources to different things outside of the building. I don't get to talk about them enough, the support, especially the mental and emotional strain of a long NFL season. You'll see Kevin and [Assistant Director of Player Engagement] JJ they'll have them in their office talking to them, working through different things, encouraging them. So it's an all-hands-on-deck approach, but I was really pleased with how the rookies were able to contribute this year.

On where he thinks he made the most progress as a head coach

I think just listening to my staff, listening to the coaches that have been around for a while, connecting with Dan, Brandt, Mr. Tepper, and making sure that we're on the same page with our processes and ways that we can affect our team. I think just trying to be—it's one thing to be able to listen and have those exchanges, but then to translate it into tangible progress, that's a challenge. That's something that I'm blessed to have the coaching staff that I have, to have the resources around me, to have those checks and balances to make sure that we're not overlooking anything. But I feel like it's been a place of growth for me this year.

On an example of his growth from year one to two that played out this year

Just utilizing [Senior Coaching Advisor] Coach [Jim] Caldwell. He sees things from that 10,000-foot view a lot of times, and while for me because of my mixed roles with my involvement in the offense and different things like that, I can get hyper-focused at times on helping the run game, helping the pass game different ways. You know, just trying to connect with the different phases, special teams and defense. There is also a story being told and a messaging for the whole team, and Coach Caldwell has been amazing for some reminders or anecdotes from years past where he's been –I've been in this situation before with this coach and this was something that we did that helped us a little bit, that was a little bit of a shot in the arm. So that was a real blessing for me.

On if he was a part of other meetings, like special teams, defensive meetings last year and how much of a concerted effort he made to do that

Being in there, being around the guys. My biggest goal is to reinforce the messaging that's coming from our coordinators so that our players understand how important it is to me as the head coach as I try to create this culture. I think it's important to have that presence. We modified or schedule a little bit this year with [Director of Performance] Josh Hingst and [Vice President of Player Health and Performance] Denny Kellington. Just because of the size of our team at times we would split the offense and defense up for when they do their body preparation and re-gen versus meeting times. That allowed me to be in those meetings so I didn't really have to miss anything. [Special Teams Coordinator] Tracy [Smith] has our special teams meeting before we start, so that's always an opportunity for me to be in there and be involved with that. I just want the guys to know how important all this is to me. I'm not just the offensive play caller as the head coach, but this is our team. This is what the play style should look like, and so I wanted to make sure I supported that.

On if he feels like he's found his starting wide receiver tandem with two very young guys and how reassuring that is

Yeah, [WRs] Jalen Coker and [Tetairoa McMillan] TMac produce for us in an incredible way, and the chemistry with [QB] Bryce [Young] has certainly grown. They're going to have the first opportunity to be out there to start. You want those guys on the field. You want them out there because of the impact they've made for us offensively.

On what WR Xavier Legette needs to do moving forward to get back in this starting wide receiver mix

Just keep grinding, keep working, connecting with Bryce, making sure they're on the same page. Making the plays when they come to him. It's that simple. When you get opportunity in this league, this game, all the margins are so fine. It's just critical that when you're called upon, when your number is called, you make the play. That's how you build trust and that's how you get things back on track. The thing I respect about [WR] Xavier [Legette] through this process is all that's done is work. All he's done is continue to try to find ways. How can I help? He continued to block, continued to be available. His returning kicks yesterday and just finding ways to do that. He's made of the right stuff. I have full faith and confidence that Xavier will bounce back and have an excellent year next year.

On if he shared with Ekwonu about when Former Seahawks TE Jimmy Graham ruptured his patella and came back nine months later

I have not shared that with Ickey. We'll have a chance to talk about that. Right now it's so fresh. What I remember about [Former Seahawks TE] Jimmy [Graham] was like it was an all-hands-on-deck thing. Everybody just making sure that he was ready to go, that we were
pushing him at the right pace, going through all the steps that are necessary. Then once he got to the season, it was just the maintenance thing to make sure that he was ready for the game and making sure that we're smart about how we practice and do all these things. So that will all come with that territory.

On how he looks at the offensive and defensive line as a trench group as a developmental coaching staff

Yeah, it's very important we look around the league. Watching the Bears game last night, you know, the money they spent on this offensive line is paying off for them because it all starts there. You can run the ball, throw the ball when you do that. So that's something we definitely have to make sure is a consistent thing for us, to get guys in there that can help us on both sides, because it starts with the run game and the line of scrimmage. You know, I look at this group and a bunch of guys that I trust. A lot of conversations between Dan and I and Brandt going forward in the next couple days to make sure we get this thing right so that we can continue to build from the inside out.

On putting RB Trevor Etienne back to return a punt after a fumble and the importance of those decisions to instill confidence and let the rookies know you still believe in them

Yeah, it was the exception, not the rule. He's done a fabulous job continuing to improve catching punts and kicks, the kickoffs. He's worked tirelessly at it. He dropped the ball and it was an unfortunate play. I wanted him to know we got your back. Let's go. We all make mistakes. That should be the feeling. We want to make sure we create an environment that's accountable for all of us, and we share those things with the coordinators and myself and all the players and coordinators. Tell the Truth Monday is what it is because none of us are exempt from that. I want the guys to feel that they're getting a fair shot to be able to redeem themselves and just get right back to work.

On if extending CB Mike Jackson during the offseason is a priority

I won't talk about that part, but I will talk about Mike, just the unbelievable way that he just shows up on a daily basis with focus. He's an amazing competitor. He's really brilliant. He's a heck of a chess player. Our team meals the night before the game and people walk up to the table and Mike is sitting there and has that gamesmanship about him. He approaches the game that way. Studies film, sick about his craft, technique, footwork. He's thinking about things, how they may try to attack him in this formation and this. He's just aware of it all. The story will be told if you ever saw him in a walk-through. If you look at his face in a walkthrough it might as well be the game. His eyes are in the right spot, knees are bent, and he takes it very seriously. That affects the whole group in how we should approach any time we're on the grass, any time we're at that meeting. He loves it. Ever since I've known him back in Seattle, I remember just him like running across the field chasing runs down on the back side. I'm talking about practice and camp. I went up to him one day in camp and was like, Mike, you got to be the fittest guy on this team. I just respected so much his work ethic and what he did to pair with his experience and the way he played this year, knocking balls down, coming up with the big interception for us; unbelievable year. I'm just really proud to have been a part of the early story and to watch it progress, and I'm so blessed and fortunate we were able to bring him here last year.

On what has made the biggest progression from the beginning of the season to now or beginning of his time here to now

Belief. I would say that. I would say it's an expectation to win. Proving to our players. As a staff we have to prove to our players that when we do things right, we can play with anybody, we can beat anybody. That has been true for us at times when we played really good teams and came out with the win because we did right a little bit longer than the other team. That opportunity is always out there. That's why they say any given Sunday. It's true because the fundamentals of the game, I believe our players truly believe that. I know our staff believes that. That's what we try to push and remind the whole group. There is something that's grounding about that. We talk about how you can't improve anything you can't measure. The things that you can measure are the most fundamental, technical breakdown, the most fundamental things that need to improve, the things that are working for us. If we can point to those things, the guys always feel like we have something to work on. It doesn't feel nebulous. It doesn't feel like it's gray out there. But there are specific things we can get better at that will help us this week.

On the level of encouragement heading into the offseason with the way that the defense has performed

Yeah, the system is in place, and when we execute the system, it works. I coached against it for years and watched it continue to grow right in front of our eyes. Where it becomes special is our coach's ability to help the guys connect with each other. Then they got to take it. We've done a great job of that, creating this platform for the guys to own it. Guys like [S] Nick Scott quarterbacking the back end, getting guys lined up and talking and making sure they're lined up. [LB] Christian Rozeboom just settling things out and running sideline to sideline to make plays, and of course [DT] Derrick Brown up front, the hustle he plays with. An unbelievable jet sweep that he chased down and stopped for about a three-yard gain by [Rams WR] Puka Nacua in the game was just a classic example of these guys owning this defense with our play style, our schemes, and I saw a group playing really good ball down the stretch.