And then there were two.
On Thursday, the Carolina Panthers hired Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Dave Canales as their new head coach. Later in the day, the Atlanta Falcons hired Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. Those moves left only two head coaching openings: the Washington Commanders and Seattle Seahawks.
Canales, 42, came to Tampa Bay last year as the offensive coordinator. He was instrumental in turning around the career of quarterback Baker Mayfield, who had been on four teams since 2021. Mayfield signed a one-year contract and had a career year working with Canales. He is in line for a massive contract this offseason after surprisingly leading the Buccaneers to the NFC South title and a playoff win.
Before he came to Tampa Bay, Canales spent 13 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. He spent his first eight years in Seattle as a wide receivers coach. In 2018, he moved to quarterbacks coach. In 2020, he was elevated to passing game coordinator for two seasons, and in 2022, he remained the QB coach. It was in 2022 when Canales helped Geno Smith rejuvenate his career, leading the veteran signal-caller to win NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
Morris, a former Tampa Bay head coach for three seasons, served three years as a defensive backs coach in Washington. He was 32 when he became head coach of the Bucs in 2009 and has worked for years to earn another opportunity. He spent six years with the Falcons, including a stint as the interim coach in 2020. He landed with Sean McVay and the Rams in 2021, where he has been the defensive coordinator for the past three seasons.
Morris is a beloved coach, and many around the NFL are happy for him to receive another opportunity. Morris interviewed twice with the Commanders, including on Wednesday, and was believed to be high on Washington’s list.
Atlanta and Carolina, having filled their jobs, seem to have eliminated two of the biggest competitors for the Commanders’ reported top target, Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
Johnson and the Lions play the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in the NFC Championship. The Commanders plan to travel to Detroit to interview Johnson next week. If the Lions lose, Washington could hire Johnson — if he’s the pick — next week. If Detroit wins, the Commanders would have to wait another week.
It appears the Commanders are down to Johnson and Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.
