NFL analyst makes bold declaration on Dave Canales

Dave Canales for Coach of the Year? It's apparently not crazy.

Nov 16, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales reacts in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Carolina Panthers fans may be undecided on Dave Canales. They may feel that his inconsistent play calling and sometimes curious game management are signs that he ascended to the top much too quickly.

Canales had just one year calling plays before he took over the entire team, and there have been some ups and downs. But through 13 weeks, one insider believes he's the Coach of the Year. Yes, you read that right.

NFL insider makes case for Dave Canales to win Coach of the Year

Nov 24, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales during the first half at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images | Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

If you're looking at Coach of the Year candidates, you'll have to dig pretty deep to find Dave Canales. He's not really even on the radar for what is sure to be Ben Johnson or Mike Vrabel's award.

But Sports Illustrated's Connor Orr would give the nod to the Panthers coach for his impressive work this season.

"The Panthers have logged wins over both the Packers (Week 9) and now the Rams. And while there are weeks when this team can revert into the previously established narrative version of itself—a blowout loss to the Bills and a 10-point loss to the Saints come to mind—I think it’s worth making the case that what Canales and his staff are doing is perhaps the most impressive job in the league," Orr said.

For some coaches, their turnarounds have been thanks to changes in coordinator. Mike Macdonald now has Klint Kubiak helming his offense. Shane Steichen got Lou Anarumo to turn the defense around.

But with largely the same exact coaching staff, Canales has willed this team to seven wins after getting seven the last two seasons combined.

Orr said, "I see an extraordinarily hard-capped roster with almost all of its 'star' power on the defensive side of the ball grinding out wins on the shoulders of a journeyman running back."

This is different, Orr argues, than the Colts relying on an MVP caliber running back or the Patriots getting an MVP season from Drake Maye or the Bears overhauling their entire offense in the offseason.

Nov 30, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales celebrates with Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) after the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images | Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

After Bryce Young threw "picture-perfect" footballs in the rain on third and fourth down on Sunday, Orr believes "a coach talented enough to orchestrate it" is deserving of the award.

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