Ever since Pete Carroll’s last year at USC, Dave Canales has been on his staff. Canales was an assistant strength coach for the Trojans in 2010. Then, when Carroll went to the Seahawks the following year, Canales went with him. Over the last 13 seasons, he’s been a receivers coach, passing game coordinator and had two different stints as a quarterbacks coach, including during the 2022 season. Now, he’s leaving Seattle.
Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network reported on Wednesday that Canales will leave the Seahawks and replace Byron Leftwich as offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“The #Buccaneers are hiring #Seahawks QB coach Dave Canales as their new offensive coordinator, sources say. After 13 seasons as an assistant on Pete Carroll’s coaching staff, Canales heads to Tampa to run the offense for Todd Bowles,” Garafolo tweeted.
The #Buccaneers are hiring #Seahawks QB coach Dave Canales as their new offensive coordinator, sources say. After 13 seasons as an assistant on Pete Carroll’s coaching staff, Canales heads to Tampa to run the offense for Todd Bowles.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 16, 2023
The NFL world seemed to feel that this was a good move. It also opened the door for speculation about what it might mean for free-agent quarterback Geno Smith.
What does this do to the Seahawks QB decision? How much do Geno and Canales want to work together next year? https://t.co/RQqvqzLOQe
— Mike Salk, Seattle Sports (@TheMikeSalk) February 16, 2023
A really intriguing hire. Canales did a great job with Geno Smith, earning a new post in Tampa. https://t.co/OMH6xNE0KK
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 16, 2023
Bowles did not previously know Canales but he quickly ascended into the team's top three and became the favorite after his interview.
The Bucs came away impressed with Canales' understanding of the game and how great of a teacher and communicator he is. https://t.co/EMOI4KgdL8
— Carmen Vitali (@CarmieV) February 16, 2023
Seahawks lose a good coach. https://t.co/AczoOzljXV
— 12th Man Rising (@12thMan_Rising) February 16, 2023
Great hire. https://t.co/S6LZ6GLuu2
— Matthew Hewitt (@BucsTrackerNFL) February 16, 2023
Canales’ two stints as quarterbacks coach in Seattle both went well for the team’s starting quarterback. The first was in 2018 and 2019 — which were two of the better seasons in Russell Wilson’s career. Over those two seasons, he completed 65.9% of his passes for 7,558 yards with 66 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and a 108.4 passer rating.
In 2022, Smith had by far the best season of his career. He completed 69.8% of his passes for 4,282 yards with 34 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and a 100.9 passer rating while making the Pro Bowl and winning the Comeback Player of the Year Award. For reference, from 2014-2021 combined, he threw for 3,871 yards with 22 touchdowns. Both Smith and the Seahawks have expressed optimism that a deal will get done. But the quarterbacks coach leaving could definitely be a hindrance to that.
[Mike Garafolo on Twitter]
