The Carolina Panthers are heading into the 2026 NFL season with head coach Dave Canales returning to lead the franchise after guiding the team to its first playoff berth since 2017 in the 2025 campaign.
Canales was hired as Panthers head coach on January 25, 2024, becoming just the seventh head coach in franchise history.
In 2025, Carolina improved to an 8–9 record, captured the NFC South division title, and hosted a Wild Card playoff game before losing a close contest to the Los Angeles Rams.
His leadership has been credited with building culture, developing young talent like quarterback Bryce Young, and turning around a team that had gone from two wins in 2024 to playoff competitiveness.
Despite Canales’ progress, former Super Bowl–winning coach Mike Martz recently said he would be excited to take over the Panthers’ head coaching job if it were ever offered.
“I would take the Panthers job in a heartbeat,” Martz said during a recent media appearance.
“Carolina has a passionate fan base, promising young players, and the foundation for sustained success.
I think I could bring a dynamic offensive philosophy while honoring the progress this team has already made.”
Martz, best known for leading the St. Louis Rams’ “Greatest Show on Turf” to a Super Bowl XXXIV championship, is now 74 years old but remains one of the NFL’s most respected offensive minds.
His innovative schemes helped redefine modern offenses and elevated quarterback play throughout his coaching career.
Although Martz has not been formally connected to Carolina’s current coaching staff or future plans, his comments add an interesting hypothetical to national coaching discussions.
Carolina’s front office appears committed to Canales, and he remains firmly in place as head coach as the Panthers prepare for the offseason.
Canales’ ability to expand his role from purely offensive strategist to overseeing the entire team has been noted by analysts and players alike, and his emphasis on culture is seen as a key factor in Carolina’s recent improvement.
Martz specifically praised the Panthers’ roster talent and young core, suggesting that his strengths in offensive design and quarterback development could elevate a team already trending upward.
His remarks highlight how veteran coaching voices still generate interest when discussing leadership at the NFL level, even if those comments remain speculative.
For now, Canales remains the man in charge in Carolina, and the franchise seems set on continuity as it looks to build on its 2025 playoff breakthrough.
But Martz’s willingness to consider the Panthers job underscores the value and potential that many see in the organization — a team poised to grow further in the coming seasons, whether with Canales or under any future leadership direction.
