In a surprising turn of events, the Carolina Panthers have hired Dave Canales as their new franchise head coach. Canales, who previously served as the Seahawks quarterbacks coach for 13 years before becoming the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, had an impressive first year as a coordinator, guiding the Buccaneers to an NFC South division title and a Wild Card victory.

The Carolina Panthers' offense struggled throughout the 2023-24 season, finishing last in the league. With the acquisition of Canales, the team hopes to revitalize their offense by developing their former number one overall pick, Bryce Young, who had a lackluster rookie season.

However, this hire could have interesting implications for the Denver Broncos. After a tumultuous season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed quarterback Baker Mayfield to a one-year deal. Mayfield thrived under Canales' guidance, achieving career-highs in yards, completion percentage, and passing touchdowns.

Despite his success with the Buccaneers, Mayfield's future with the team is uncertain due to Canales' departure and Tampa Bay's defensive-minded head coach, Todd Bowles. Mayfield's decision on whether to re-sign with the Buccaneers will likely be influenced by the hiring of Canales' replacement.

If Mayfield decides to explore free agency, the Denver Broncos could emerge as potential suitors. Prior to being drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2018, Mayfield garnered interest from Broncos head coach Sean Payton. Mayfield could offer an affordable and experienced option for Denver, potentially serving as a mentor if the team decides to draft a quarterback in April.

Furthermore, the Broncos have already dealt with quarterback turmoil. Russell Wilson was benched for their final two games of the 2023-24 regular season. While rumors circulated about contract issues, head coach Sean Payton stated that it was a purely "football decision." Paton and Payton, in their end-of-season press conference, expressed openness to Wilson returning to the Broncos.

However, given the circumstances, it is likely that the Broncos will part ways with Wilson once the new league year commences in March, unless they receive a trade offer from a desperate team willing to restructure his contract. One potential suitor for Wilson could be the Carolina Panthers, who have a strong connection with Wilson through their newly appointed head coach, Canales.

Overall, the hiring of Dave Canales by the Carolina Panthers has ignited speculation and potential quarterback movements. The Broncos find themselves keeping a close eye on Baker Mayfield's situation, hoping to capitalize on his talent and experience with their former coach at the helm. Only time will tell if Mayfield's journey takes him to Denver, but the possibility of him guiding and mentoring the Broncos' future quarterback is an enticing prospect for the team.