Panthers Are Likely to Hire Buccaneers Brad Idzik As OC.
The Panthers are almost certainly looking for a non-play-calling offensive coordinator, with new head coach Dave Canales slated to call plays. Carolina does not appear to be planning a large-scale search to fill this job.
Currently, two OC applicants are vying for the Carolina post. The squad requested a meeting with Buccaneers wide receivers coach Brad Idzik, according to SI’s JC Allen. While the organization has requested a meeting with Eagles assistant Marcus Brady, Canales is anticipated to stick with familiarity.
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com, Idzik appears to be the most likely hire. Brad, the son of former Jets general manager John Idzik, recently completed his first season as the Bucs’ wide receivers coach. However, Brad Idzik has been working with Canales for much longer. He served as the Seahawks’ assistant wide receivers coach from 2019 to 2020 and again in 2022. Idzik had previously worked as a graduate assistant at Stanford for five years.
The Panthers can’t hire Idzik until they meet with Brady. The Rooney Rule demands that teams interview at least one external minority candidate for coordinator roles. However, we have seen a few clubs perform brief OC searches throughout this time frame. The Falcons only interviewed two applicants before hiring Zac Robinson from the Rams.The Bengals and Bills also met with only two candidates, opting to hire internally.
Mike Evans extended his record-breaking string of consecutive seasons to begin a career to ten, but the 6-foot-5 standout performed better with Baker Mayfield than with Tom Brady. Evans’ 1,255 yards were his most since 2018, and the 10-year receiver lead the NFL with 13 touchdown receptions. Chris Godwin also posted his third consecutive 1,000-yard season.
Carolina went with experience for the 2023 cycle, hiring Frank Reich, a five-year play-caller, to manage the show. Canales has only called plays for one season, and Idzik was promoted from assistant wide receiver in 2023. Canales did, however, spend 13 years on Pete Carroll’s Seahawks staff. If this OC job goes through, the Panthers will gamble heavily on the freshly constructed Canales tree.
