The Carolina Panthers are on the verge of finalizing a contract agreement with Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales to become their next head coach, according to sources familiar with the hiring process. Barring any unforeseen issues, Canales is expected to replace Frank Reich, who was fired mid-season.

Canales, who served as the Buccaneers' offensive coordinator this season, played a pivotal role in the team's success, guiding quarterback Baker Mayfield and the offense to win the NFC South. Although the Buccaneers fell short in the divisional round against the Detroit Lions, Canales' coaching prowess attracted attention from the Panthers.

The Panthers conducted multiple interviews for the head coaching position, with Canales, Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, and Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero each being interviewed twice. Additionally, former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel was reportedly scheduled for an interview, although it remains unclear whether it took place.

With Canales potentially joining the Panthers, he would be the third minority coach chosen this NFL hiring cycle, alongside Jerod Mayo of the New England Patriots and Antonio Pierce of the Las Vegas Raiders. This reflects the league's efforts to improve diversity in coaching positions, following a season in which only one Black coach was hired among the five teams that filled head coaching vacancies.

The Panthers' selection of Canales would bring the total number of active minority head coaches in the NFL to eight, including Robert Saleh of the New York Jets and Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins, who both bring diverse backgrounds to their respective teams.

However, the Buccaneers will not receive draft-pick compensation under the NFL's current system, as Canales spent only one season with the organization. The league's owners ratified a proposal in 2020 that awards two third-round draft picks to teams that develop and hire minority candidates as head coaches or general managers, under specific conditions.

As the Panthers prepare to welcome Canales, they join the New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders, Tennessee Titans, and Los Angeles Chargers in finalizing their head coach choices. The Atlanta Falcons, Washington Commanders, and Seattle Seahawks are still in the process of conducting their head coaching searches.

Canales, who has 13 years of experience as an assistant coach with the Seattle Seahawks, including stints as a wide receivers coach, quarterbacks coach, and passing game coordinator, gained recognition for revitalizing the careers of quarterbacks Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield in consecutive seasons.

Teaming up with newly hired Panthers general manager Dan Morgan, a former NFL linebacker and front office executive with the Seahawks, Canales faces the task of turning around a team that finished last season with a disappointing 2-15 record.

This marks the fourth full-time head coach under team owner David Tepper, following Ron Rivera, Matt Rhule, and Frank Reich, with several interim coaches filling in during this time. The pressure is on Canales to revitalize the Panthers' fortunes.

The Panthers will be keen to see improvements from their rookie quarterback Bryce Young, who struggled in his inaugural season. The team's decision to select Young with the top pick in last year's NFL draft instead of C.J. Stroud, who sparkled for the Texans, raised some eyebrows. Unfortunately, the Panthers lack a first-round draft choice this year, having traded it to the Chicago Bears in a previous deal.

While rumors initially suggested that Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson could be a potential coaching target, Carolina's swift move with Canales indicates that Johnson may be headed elsewhere, possibly to the Washington Commanders.

As the deal with Canales nears completion, the Panthers are hopeful that they have found the right leader to steer the team back to success in the upcoming season.