Panthers coach Dave Canales has blunt response to Russell Wilson question
We can cross Carolina off the list of potential Russell Wilson destinations.
The Broncos announced on Monday that they are releasing Wilson after two seasons in Denver, and it remains to be seen where the 35-year-old quarterback will land.
Because of the way Wilson’s contract was structured with the Broncos, whomever signs him will be paying about the veteran minimum for his services.
One team that could have made theoretical sense was the Panthers.
However, Carolina’s new head coach Dave Canales, who was previously Wilson’s quarterback coach in Seattle, shut the door on that possibility in an interview on FanDuel TV’s “Up & Adams” on Wednesday.
“This is not the situation for Russ,” Canales said bluntly.
“But what I will say about him is taking that chance and that opportunity to go to Denver, I really admire him for that. I really admire the courage that it took to say, ‘I’m going to branch out away from what I’m comfortable with.’
“Certainly, from guys like me, who was with him for all 10 years [in Seattle], the level of comfort that comes from ‘I know everything that he’s going to ask for, I can anticipate those things.’ And he really gambled on himself to go and try to do something a different way to see what that could become. What that’s become, hey, the film’s out there, but I really give him credit for that.”
Canales was the offensive coordinator in Tampa last year and inherits a Panthers roster that went 2-15 last season, the worst record in the NFL.
While that would normally put them in a position to take a quarterback with the first pick, the Panthers traded that selection away last year when they traded up with the Bears to take Bryce Young first overall.
While it is early in his career, Young did not look pro-ready as a rookie and head coach Frank Reich was fired in his first season with the team after a 1-10 start.
One intriguing destination that has popped up for Wilson is the Vikings, as Kirk Cousins appears primed to leave in free agency.
Speaking on his “Straight Fire” podcast, FS1 personality Jason McIntyre made the case for Wilson to the Vikings on Tuesday.
“Go to Minnesota!” McIntyre urged.
“Kevin O’Connell, one of the best offensive minds in the league. There isn’t a team that needs a quarterback that would go after Russ with a better head coach than Kevin O’Connell.”
He also pointed out the weapons — Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson — who could give Wilson an immediate arsenal and a chance to compete to win the NFC North.