Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales has had a memorable first year as a play-caller and Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator. So much so that other NFL teams are taking note of the charismatic and upbeat 42-year old.

Just days after a 9-0 win at Carolina and sweeping the team this year, the Panthers have requested permission to speak with Canales for their head coaching vacancy.

“It is surreal to me, and I’m really grateful because I honestly can’t do this without the guys in this building,” Canales said on Thursday. “Without the talent that we have on offense, an amazing staff that have worked their tails off to put us in this situation to win the division. When I think about it, the coordinator gets all the heat and you all the praise, well it’s really a bigger story than that.”

Canales said any interview with the Panthers won’t happen until next week after the Bucs host the Eagles on Monday night in the Wild Card playoff game.

Bucs OC Dave Canales – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“I’m really grateful,” Dave Canales said on Thursday. “It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a long time so I have some stuff prepared, but I really haven’t had time to look at that this week. We have a formidable opponent coming like the Eagles that are coming in here, so it’s going to require all of us, all of me to be locked in.

“We’ll play Monday night and we’ll take it from there. At some point I’ll have a conversation with them, and I’ll be really excited and fired up to say the same things I’m talking about here – about building a team that plays championship-type football from the minute you get there.”

Canales’ offense improved in points scored per game, averaging 20.5 points per game in 2023 after former offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich averaged 18.2 points per game the previous year. While he discussed the opportunity to interview with Carolina, Canales made it clear that ideally he wants to stay with the Bucs to get some more seasoning and continue what he started with quarterback Baker Mayfield, who will be a free agent in 2024.

OC Dave Canales Wants To Remain With Bucs

“I’d love to be in Tampa for a long time,” Bucs offensive coordinator Canales volunteered during Thursday’s press conference. “I know whatever our plans are for the future, Baker has been unbelievable. For whatever job I may get credited for – Baker, the belief in himself, the ability to bring a team together to grow, to continue to own his growth and own his mistakes. I just love that kind of guy. I love being around him.”

Bucs OC Dave Canales and QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson interviewed with some teams for head coaching opportunities last year, but ultimately decided to stay in Detroit to help take the team to new heights and gain more experience with head coach Dan Campbell. Johnson remaining in Detroit helped the Lions with the NFC North division this year.

Canales, who is Hispanic, should get more interview requests as teams dig deeper into candidates. Not only is he a bright, young offensive mind and a great leader, but Canales also helps teams fulfill the Rooney Rule requirement of interviewing a minority candidate before making a hire.

Unless Canales is blown away by the right opportunity, he will likely remain in Tampa Bay to get some more seasoning as a play-caller – as long as Todd Bowles is the Bucs’ head coach. And of course the interview experience Canales will receive with Carolina and with any other interested teams can only benefit him down the road.

Sooner rather than later Dave Canales will become an NFL head coach. He just wants to stick around in Tampa Bay a while longer.