Football is a brutal business. Honestly, most coordinators in this league have the job security of a substitute teacher in a room full of rowdy teenagers. But in Charlotte, something feels different. After years of a revolving door at Bank of America Stadium, the Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator spot finally has some actual continuity.
Brad Idzik is still here.
It’s January 2026. The Panthers just wrapped up an 8-9 season. For most franchises, a sub-.500 record is a failure. But you’ve got to look at where this team started. In 2023, they were a 2-15 disaster. By 2024, they were showing signs of life. This past 2025 season? They actually won the NFC South. Sure, the division was a mess, and they got bounced by the Rams in the Wild Card round, but they made the dance.
Why Brad Idzik Actually Matters
A lot of people think Dave Canales does everything. Canales is the "QB whisperer," the guy who fixed Baker Mayfield and Geno Smith. He’s the one calling the plays on Sundays. So, what exactly does Idzik do?
Basically, he’s the architect behind the scenes. While Canales handles the "big picture" and the emotional pulse of the team, Idzik is the one grinding through the tape. He’s the guy who has been attached to Canales' hip for nearly seven years—from Seattle to Tampa and now to Carolina.
He’s the "glue guy."
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You can see his fingerprints all over the 2025 season. The Panthers' offense wasn't a world-beater (they ranked 27th in scoring), but they became efficient in the run game. Idzik helped oversee a backfield that featured two 1,000-yard rushers: Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle. That’s a massive jump for a team that couldn't move the ball an inch a couple of years ago.
The Bryce Young Resurgence
Let’s be real: Bryce Young was almost a "bust" headline. After a rookie year that looked like a slow-motion car crash, Idzik and Canales had to perform surgery on his confidence.
In 2024, they simplified things. In 2025, they gave him weapons. The arrival of rookie Tetairoa McMillan changed the geometry of the field. McMillan caught everything thrown his way, and Jalen Coker emerged as a legitimate threat.
- Completion Percentage: Young finished 2024 at 61.8%.
- The 2025 Stat Line: 18.3 points per game (okay, not great) but a massive reduction in turnovers.
- Clutch Factor: Young led six game-tying or game-winning drives in the latter half of his second year.
Idzik’s background as a wide receivers coach at Wake Forest and with the Seahawks is likely why these young pass-catchers are developing so fast. He knows how to teach the "stem" of a route. He knows how to find the soft spots in a zone.
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The Offensive Scheme: Is it Working?
The Panthers run a West Coast-style system. It’s all about rhythm. It’s about getting the ball out of Young’s hands in under 2.5 seconds. When it works, it’s beautiful. When it doesn't—like that 17-7 loss to the Saints in late 2025—it looks stagnant and "dink-and-dunk."
Canales admitted recently that they need more "explosives." They need the big plays. Right now, the Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator is tasked with finding a way to marry the efficient run game with a vertical threat.
Breaking Down the Personnel
The offensive line took a massive hit recently. Ikem Ekwonu’s ruptured patellar tendon in the playoff loss is a huge blow. Robert Hunt also dealt with injuries.
| Player | Role | Impact in 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Chuba Hubbard | RB1 | 1,000+ yards, the heart of the run game. |
| Tetairoa McMillan | WR1 | Second-highest productive rookie receiver in the NFL. |
| Bryce Young | QB | Showed "flashes of greatness" but still lacks consistency. |
| Rico Dowdle | RB2 | Second 1,000-yard season; currently a free agent question mark. |
Honestly, if Dowdle leaves in free agency, Idzik has to reinvent the wheel again. He’s got Jonathon Brooks coming back from injury and the rookie Trevor Etienne waiting in the wings, but losing that veteran presence would sting.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Coaching Staff
There’s this narrative that the Panthers are "too young" or "too inexperienced."
People forget Idzik comes from a football dynasty. His dad, John Idzik Jr., was the GM of the Jets. His grandfather was a head coach. He’s got a degree from Wake Forest and a Master's from Stanford. This isn't just some guy who got a job because he’s friends with the head coach. He’s a mathematical business major who views the field like a spreadsheet.
He’s looking for the 1% gains.
He’s the reason why the Panthers went from the worst rushing team in the league to having a top-10 yards-per-carry average in 2024. He understands the leverage of a guard like Damien Lewis. He understands that if the run game is "boring," it’s working.
What Really Happened in the Playoffs?
The Wild Card loss to the Rams (34-31) was a heartbreaker. The offense actually showed up! They put up 31 points. Bryce Young brought them back late. But a muffed punt by Etienne and a few "missed opportunities" in the red zone cost them.
Canales and Idzik have been preaching a "championship mindset." They’re not there yet. They’re 13-21 over the last two seasons combined. But compared to where this franchise was under the previous regime, this is a golden age.
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The Roadmap for 2026
So, what’s next? Dan Morgan, the GM, just announced they’re picking up Bryce Young’s fifth-year option. That’s a massive vote of confidence for Idzik’s development program.
The focus this offseason is simple:
- Verticality: They have to stop being a "safe" offense.
- O-Line Depth: With Ekwonu out, the left side of the line is a giant question mark.
- Consistency: Canales mentioned they need to be "disciplined" in their execution.
If the Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator can integrate Jonathon Brooks into the passing game more effectively and keep McMillan's trajectory pointing up, this team could actually win 10 games next year.
Actionable Next Steps for Panthers Fans:
Keep a close eye on the 2026 NFL Draft. The Panthers are picking 19th overall. If they go with another playmaker or a blue-chip tackle, it’s a sign that Idzik is doubling down on the "run first, pass later" philosophy. Also, watch the Rico Dowdle situation. If he signs elsewhere, the offensive dynamic changes completely, and more pressure falls on Trevor Etienne to become a pure runner rather than just a return specialist.