BREAKING: Buccaneers hire David Canales away from Seattle Seahawks as new Offensive Coordinator

Tampa Bay has found its next offensive coordinator.

Well, that didn't take very long.

READ MORE: CBS Sports Projects Buccaneers to trade up for Tom Brady's replacement in 2023 NFL Draft

Following an in-person interview with Seattle Seahawks quarterbacks coach Dave Canales on Tuesday, Tampa Bay has decided to hire him as its next Offensive Coordinator.

Canales joins the Buccaneers after a disappointing campaign under first-year head coach Todd Bowles where the franchise finished under .500 and was knocked out of the postseason in the Wild Card Round. In the end, significant regressions on offense resulted in former Offensive Coordinator Byron Leftwich being let go.

Tampa Bay held the No. 15 overall offense in Leftwich's final season. However, the team averaged 59.2 fewer yards per game in 2022 and also held the worst rushing offense in the entire league with just 76.9 yards per contest.

Bucs have hired Seahawks QBs coach Dave Canales, who becomes a first time offensive coordinator.

— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) February 16, 2023

Canales brings over a decade of experience in the league after working with head coach Peter Caroll in a variety of roles since 2010. He served as wide receivers coach until 2017 before taking over as quarterbacks coach in 2018-19. Canales was moved to passing game coordinator in Russell Wilson's final two seasons with Seattle (2020-21) before switching back to quarterbacks coach this past season.

The California native played a role in Geno Smith's breakout campaign in 2022. Smith led the NFL in completion percentage and ended up earning the first Pro Bowl nod of his career along with being named Comeback Player of the Year. The Seahawks finished 9-8 and qualified for the postseason as Smith completed 69.8% of his passes for 4,282 yards with 30 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. He also added 366 yards and a score on the ground.

Tampa Bay ended up interviewing ten candidates for the position but quickly honed in on Canales after his meeting with the franchise. According to Carmen Vitali of Fox Sports, Bowles did not have a previous relationship with Canales but his understanding of the game and ability as a teacher and communicator impressed the front office.

At this time, the Buccaneers only have former second-round pick Kyle Trask under contract following Tom Brady's decision to retire. There are multiple avenues that the franchise could go - including pursuing veteran quarterback Derek Carr in free agency or scouring the draft for a signal-caller.

READ MORE: Tom Brady's father has an interesting reaction to his son walking away from football after 23 years

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