Former Buccaneers' OC Releases Statement After Leaving For Carolina Panthers

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales thanked the franchise after taking the Carolina Panthers head coaching position.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers' first-year play caller Dave Canales is moving up the ranks as he accepted the head coaching job of the Bucs' NFC South rival, the Carolina Panthers, on Thursday.

Canales moving on to become the head coach of the Panthers was a surprise to many as they assumed he would need a bit more time being an offensive coordinator before receiving head coach interest from other teams. However, his relationship with the Panthers' brass and the success he was able to bring to the Buccaneers' offense along with the revivalism of Geno Smith's and Baker Mayfield's careers it made sense for him to head to Carolina.

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Following the official announcement that Canales would indeed become Carolina's next head coach, the former Buccaneers' OC took to his social media to thank Tampa Bay.

"Excited for what’s to come but right now just thankful for my time with the Buccaneers! Amazing fans and organization. Thanks to Coach Bowles, the staff and the amazing players that I was honored to work with! I’ll be rootin for ya 15 weeks out of the year! Thank You!!!"

Excited for what’s to come but right now just thankful for my time with the @Buccaneers ! Amazing fans and organization. Thanks to Coach Bowles, the staff and the amazing players that I was honored to work with! I’ll be rootin for ya 15 weeks out of the year! Thank You!!!

— Dave Canales (@TheCoachCanales) January 26, 2024

Canales immediately came into Tampa Bay and established a culture within the Bucs' locker room that was missing. He let the players establish how they would play and that led to success once everyone gained confidence in the play calling and comfortable working alongside each other.

His time in Tampa Bay may have been short, but it looks to have had a lasting impact on Canales. All he needed was a shot, and head coach Todd Bowles and the Bucs' brass gave him that opportunity.

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Canales may still "root" for the Bucs outside of the two games a season, but I don't expect him to hold back when push comes to shove as he will now be battling his former team for the NFC South division crown.

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