How Week 1 Can Serve As Benchmark For Jaguars' Coen

When the Jacksonville Jaguars line up against the Carolina Panthers, there will be plenty of comparisons to make.

Former No. 1 picks at quarterback who need to prove themselves to rookie playmakers at wide receiver, the list is lengthy. But perhaps the most important comparison is the one between head coaches Liam Coen and Dave Canales.

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen looks on during an NFL training camp session at the Miller Electric Center, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla. | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Like Coen, Canales spent a successful year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as offensive coordinator before being tabbed as one of the NFL's youngest head coaches last season.

Coen followed a similar path, building upon the success Canales found in Tampa Bay and improving the offense. Coen turned the unit into one of the best in the NFL, and his path crossed with Canales before he did.

Coen and Canales

Aug 16, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales looks on from the sideline during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

“I don’t know him super well but when I got the Tampa job, he was very cool to just be able to reach out to, holler at, his wife was really kind to Ashley [Coen], as well," Coen said on Monday.

"Then, when I got this job, we got to talk at the owner’s meetings for a little while and just picking his brain on some of the things that he felt he could improve upon as a head coach or things that he thought went well. [Jaguars Passing Game Coordinator] Shane Waldron was with Dave in Seattle for a number of years, as well.

Aug 2, 2025; Charlottle, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales during Fanfest at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

So, there’s a natural communication there. I got a ton of respect for Dave, he helped so much with the bridge in Tampa. Their offense, there was a lot of similarities, so when you get the Tampa job you’re not starting from ground zero. I’ve always appreciated the energy and confidence that he gives to his players.”

With similar backgrounds and team constructions, Coen and the Jaguars can use their Week 1 bout vs. the Panthers as a benchmark of how far they have come since the offseason program began, and how much further they have to go.

If Coen and the Jaguars can look good in a triumph over Canales and the Panthers on Sunday, it could be a solid sign of what is to come for the new regime to kick off 2025.

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