CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - The Carolina Panthers will make a big coaching change ahead of the 2026 NFL season.
Offensive coordinator Brad Idzik will take over play-calling duties for the upcoming season, Panthers head coach Dave Canales told media at the NFL Combine on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
Canales had called offensive plays during his first two seasons in Carolina but is now giving that role up.
Canales said it was a “difficult decision” but believed it was the right move for the team.
“This something that all of us collectively have talked about as an organization,” Canales told reporters. “It was my idea to come up with this, and just kind of looking back and reflecting on it, you know, thinking about how we want to run this offense. And really being able to advance our football on the offensive side.”
Idzik has been Carolina’s offensive coordinator throughout Canales’ tenure with the Panthers but has never called plays during a regular-season game. He did, though, call some plays during the 2026 preseason slate.
Despite his lack of play-calling experience, Canales said Idzik is “completely engulfed and entrenched” in the Panthers’ offense and is “as ready as you’re going to be.”
The Panthers were 23rd and 27th in the NFL in scoring over the past two seasons with Canales calling the offense.
The now third-year head coach said relieving himself of play-calling responsibilities offers a “great opportunity for [him] to be more involved.” He said he was able to become more involved with the offense and special teams in 2025, and hopes to become even more in 2026. He said the change will also allow him to be more involved with officiating.
“This allows me to be in a better position to affect our team, and this also allows Brad to affect the offense in a positive way,” Canales said. “He’s my primary architect for what we do offensively ... I saw this as an opportunity to streamline the work that goes in during the week, and have that come alive on gameday.”
Prior to his time on the Panthers’ staff, the 34-year-old Idzik worked with Canales in Seattle and Tampa Bay after he coached several years at the collegiate level.
Idzik -- who is originally from Washington state -- played college football at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C.
Dave Canales (left) is handing off offensive play-calling duties to Brad Idzik (right).
Dave Canales (left) is handing off offensive play-calling duties to Brad Idzik (right).(Brian Westerholt | AP)
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