Despite losing to the Lions, 31-23, in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales has made quite an impression in his first year as Tampa Bay’s play-caller. After putting up 30 of the team’s 32 points against the Eagles in the Bucs’ Wild Card win at Raymond James Stadium, Canales’ offense scored 23 points on the road against a stingy Lions defense.

That has opened the eyes of the Panthers franchise and owner David Tepper, who have requested a second interview with Canales. Carolina interviewed Canales last Thursday, which was the first head coach interview of his career. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport posted the news on X on Monday morning.

Canales’ first spoke with the Carolina Panthers about their vacant head coaching position last Thursday during a Zoom interview. The second interview will likely take place this week and could be in-person.

Canales has received a lot of worthy praise for the development of Baker Mayfield in his first season in Tampa Bay. Mayfield resurrected his career with the Bucs, setting career highs for passing yards (4,044) and touchdowns (28) while only throwing 10 interceptions in helping to lead the Bucs to another NFC South division title. The Panthers have a young quarterback that needs to be developed in Bryce Young, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Dave Canales Is Excited For The Opportunity To Interview For A Head Coaching Job

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

Fresh off scoring 30 of the team’s 32 points in Monday night’s Wild Card win over Philadelphia, Canales spoke last week about the opportunity to interview with the Panthers.

“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 last 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 certainly didn’t lose his focus over the prospects of interviewing the Carolina as he called perhaps his best game of the year as Tampa Bay rolled up nearly 500 yards of offense against Philadelphia.

“I’m really grateful,” Canales continued. “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.”

Dave Canales Is One Of 12 Known Carolina Candidates

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

Since firing head coach Frank Reich during the season, the Panthers have interviewed a number of candidates, including interviews with two internal candidates, interim head coach Chris Tabor and defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. Carolina is casting a wide net and taking its time during the head coaching search process.

The Panthers conducted recent interviews with Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith and Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik. Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris interviewed last Wednesday.

Last Thursday, Carolina interviewed Dave Canales and Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, before interviewing Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson on Friday prior to Sunday’s Divisional playoff game against Tampa Bay.

Dave Canales Wants To Stay In Tampa Bay

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

While the 42-year old offensive coordinator has the charisma and leadership style to be a very effective head coach in time, Dave Canales knows that he needs some more seasoning as a play-caller and more experience at his elevated position before taking on the task of leading an entire team.

Last Thursday, Canales said that he wants to stay in Tampa Bay.

“I’d love to be in Tampa for a long time,” Canales volunteered during last 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.”

Panthers Also Targeting Assistant GM Mike Greenberg

Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales is not the only division rival that Carolina may be interested in poaching. The Panthers interviewed Bucs assistant general manager Mike Greenberg two weeks ago in person in Carolina. Losing Greenberg, who is Tampa Bay’s chief strategist, capologist and the right-hand man to general manager Jason Licht, would be a big blow to the Bucs organization should that happen.