As the NFL’s coaching carousel continues to turn, the Buccaneers have made a key hire that will shape their revamped offense.
Tampa Bay has hired Seahawks quarterbacks coach Dave Canales as its new offensive coordinator, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Canales will replace Byron Leftwich, who was fired after four seasons in the position.
Canales, 41, has been with the Seahawks since head coach Pete Carroll’s arrival in 2010. He spent his first eight years as the team’s wide receivers coach and has since served as quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator. Canales previously had been on Carroll’s staff at USC as an assistant strength coach in ’09.
The Seahawks were a surprise playoff team last season, going 9-8 behind a retooled offense helmed by resurgent quarterback Geno Smith. Seattle ranked ninth among the NFL’s 32 teams in scoring offense, averaging 23.9 points per game, while Smith ranked fifth in passer rating (100.9) and first in completion rate (69.8%).
The Buccaneers will be with a new offensive coordinator and quarterback in 2023 following Leftwich’s firing and Tom Brady’s retirement. Tampa Bay ranked 25th in scoring offense last season, averaging 18.4 points per game.
