The Carolina Panthers have made their decision on who the next coach of the team will be. 

Carolina will hire Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales as the next head coach, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Thursday. 

Canales and newly-minted Panthers general manager Dan Morgan spent eight years together in Seattle from 2010 to 2017.  He rebuilt two quarterback's careers, and his hire is a statement from the franchise that they expect to get the most out of Bryce Young in the foreseeable future. 

The move to bring in Canales serves as a reunion for the two. 

Canales, in his only season calling plays in Tampa Bay, led a resurgence for quarterback Baker Mayfield. 

His offense led the Buccaneers to an NFC South division title. 

Mayfield threw for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2023, all the marks of a career season. 

Tampa Bay also won a playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles, where Mayfield played some of the best football of his career. 

Canales also helped turn around Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith. 

Now the Panthers are betting on Canales turning around Young's career after he suffered through a horrific rookie season. 

The Panthers went big-game hunting and opted for a quarterback whisperer more than anyone else. 

It is a statement toward the franchise's belief in the rookie and the direction Morgan plans to take the team as the lead shot caller. 

Panthers may turn to NFC South rival coach to lead team in 2024

Amid the ongoing search for a head coach, the Carolina Panthers are bringing in two NFC coaches who could be viable candidates to lead Bryce Young and company into the next version of the team.  The Panthers are holding in-person interviews for Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave […]