Dave Canales Provides Update on OC Brad Idzik for Panthers Season Opener

There aren't many things that can keep a football coach away from a team, especially with Week 1 of the NFL season coming up.

But for Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Brad Idzik, there was a good reason. Idzik and his wife are getting ready to welcome their first child this weekend.

There was some thought that Idzik could be forced to miss the Panthers' opening game against the Chicago Bears, but head coach Dave Canales provided more insight.

"He's fired up," Canales said. "So our prayers have been with them all day. I haven't got any updates yet since we went out to practice, but I've been thinking about him and Emily."

Idzik is expected to be with Carolina for the season-opening game, giving the Panthers a sigh of relief. But in his absence this week, Canales took over calling plays, getting a feel for everything.

"I got to call the plays today. I mean, I'm sorry, Brad. I don't know," Canales said. "I feel like Gollum a little bit, like 'My precious.'

"I think I did well. I think it was OK. Bryce Young kind of looked back and heard a familiar voice. But I'm just glad that we're all working together, and for Brad, he'll be ready to go."

The Panthers will be looking for more consistency from the offense this season after a weird 2025 season. Carolina was able to get into the postseason with an 8-9 record, mainly due to the rest of the NFC South being weaker than usual.

Nonetheless, the Panthers made the playoffs, giving this young team some needed experience. And now, the Panthers will be trying to replicate that success from a year ago, building on different areas.

The big question is centered around quarterback Bryce Young, who will need to step up even more this season. Young has seen many ups and downs over his NFL career, but the Panthers have full belief that he is the franchise guy.

If Young can put together the type of season that Carolina believes he can, another playoff berth isn't out of the question. But the success of the Panthers will likely fall on the shoulders of Young, the former No. 1 overall draft pick.

The new season will bring all sorts of challenges to this Panthers team, but they are ready to go. Week 1 will kick off against the Bears, starting at 10:00 a.m. PT/1:00 p.m. ET.