BREAKING: Dave Canales' Shocking Ultimatum to Panthers — “Lose Again in Week 5 and I Walk”
In an unprecedented move that has shaken the NFL community, Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales has delivered an ultimatum to the team, warning that if they fail to secure a victory in Week 5, he will step down from his position. This bold statement, issued earlier today, has sent shockwaves through both Panthers fans and the football world at large.
After a frustrating start to the season, Canales, who took over the head coach position with high hopes of turning the franchise around, is now facing a critical crossroads. The Panthers have struggled in their first four games, with a 1-3 record, leaving many fans disillusioned and questioning the direction of the team.
"I came here to rebuild a franchise, not babysit losses. If this team can’t prove in Week 5 that we’re capable of fighting back, then I’ll take full accountability and step down as head coach. I refuse to stand on the sideline and watch us sink into mediocrity," Canales said, his tone firm and resolute. The head coach’s decision to make such a public statement has left no room for ambiguity: the pressure is squarely on his team to deliver.
While coaches are no strangers to high-pressure situations, Canales' transparency is rare. Typically, NFL coaches take the "one game at a time" approach, rarely making sweeping statements about their future with the team. However, with the Panthers sitting at a pivotal moment in their rebuilding phase, Canales seems to have decided that his resignation is on the line — and he’s willing to risk it all for the chance to ignite a change in the locker room.
The Panthers' Week 5 matchup is against the Minnesota Vikings, who are also struggling to find their footing this season. Both teams are desperate for a win, but for Canales, the stakes are personal. His ultimatum has set the stage for a game that will be remembered as much for its off-field drama as for what happens on the field.
If the Panthers come up short again, it could mark the end of Canales’ tenure in Carolina. And while the coach’s commitment to accountability and the team's success is clear, the question remains: can the Panthers rally behind their leader when everything is on the line?
While many expected this season to be a tough one for the Panthers, Canales’ willingness to put his career on the line signals his deep belief in the potential of this roster — and his refusal to be part of a losing culture. For Carolina fans, this is a defining moment, and whether or not they can pull off a win in Week 5 will likely determine the future of their head coach and the team’s path forward.
Stay tuned, because if the Panthers fall short this Sunday, Dave Canales may not be the only one walking away.
New Bucs DB Sebastian Castro Is A 'Violent Football Player'
Sebastian Castro was added to the Bucs’ 53-man roster earlier this week, filling the spot of safety Rashad Wisdom. Wisdom made the team as the fifth safety, but a quad injury has forced him to make a stint on injured reserve. With that keeping him on the shelf for at least four games, it is Castro’s turn to make an impact.
It will not be surprising to see that happen on special teams, but do not be surprised if he sneaks his way on to the field as a defender. Pewter Report caught up with the former Iowa defensive back — as well as his former college teammate and inside linebacker Nick Jackson — to learn more about how he views himself contributing to the team and getting a scouting report on him.
Sebastian Castro Knows He’s A Defensive Back, A Versatile One At That
Sebastian Castro has been on Pewter Report’s radar for a while.
Castro was Pewter Report’s sixth-round selection in the first edition of our 2024 mock draft before he decided to return to Iowa for another season. At the 2025 NFL Combine, the former Hawkeyes’ defensive back was someone we had our eye on and listened to.
#Bucs DB Sebastian Castro discussed how he sees himself fitting at the next level back at the 2025 NFL Combine. Castro is comfortable doing “a lot of things.” Whether that means playing nickel or on the backend, he just wants to make a play.
“At the end of the day, I like… pic.twitter.com/MgBc2NkvVx
— Adam Slivon (@AdamLivsOn) October 2, 2025
He entered the league as an undrafted free agent, signing with the Steelers and spending the offseason with them. Now, Castro has found a home and an opportunity with the Bucs after being plucked off the Steelers’ practice squad.
Versatility is one of his calling cards, having started games at outside linebacker, strong safety, and what Iowa’s defensive coordinator Phil Parker coined the leo/cash position. One Iowa sports reporter stated that “this player can have the speed and pass-breakup ability of a defensive back, but also the size and grit of a linebacker.”
With that in mind, when asked about what his best position is on the field, Castro did not give a clear answer. He is a defensive back who can play wherever he is needed.
“I don’t know, I’m a football player,” Castro said on Wednesday, shortly after joining the team. “I couldn’t play D-Line, in that sense, I know I’m a defensive back… Playing DB is something that I feel like comes naturally. I learned it and improved my skills throughout college. Just finding the ball, being able to play man, being able to get dirty in the run fits, knowing how to find the ball.”
Castro’s breakout season was in 2023, when he took on more responsibility following the departure of Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean. He responded with 67 tackles, eight tackles for a loss, three interceptions and sacks, including a pick-six, all in just 14 games. His counting stats took a dip in 2024, but he still recorded 57 tackles, three tackles for loss, and an interception in 12 games.
As he adjusts to learning head coach Todd Bowles’ defense, it is unlikely that he would be thrust into a scenario where he has to play on defense Sunday against the Seahawks. With injuries to cornerbacks Jamel Dean and Benjamin Morrison perhaps necessitating secondary changes though, that shuffle makes anything possible. His initial path to playing time will be filling Rashad Wisdom’s void on special teams, where he played 25 snaps on the unit in two games.
Seeing meaningful defensive snaps means the hybrid defender must become a quick study.
“This defense, it is a lot in terms of that they have just so many different play calls,” Castro said. “I can’t promise that I’ll know every single call, but after [Wednesday], spending time learning the defense, I feel like I can pick it up pretty quickly. Have more reps with it. I don’t know about this week, but we’ll see what the coaches [think], if they feel comfortable. It’s all up to them, how much we both trust each other making that move if my number needs to be called up.”
Nick Jackson Is “Fired Up” That Sebastian Castro Is His Teammate Again
Sebastian Castro joins the Bucs with a similar situation that he had with the Steelers. As a hotbed for former Iowa Hawkeyes, Castro will have no problem fitting in with the rest of the locker room.
“When I went to the Steelers, I had three other teammates that I went in with,” Castro said. “Just going right here, making that transition, when I got the call that I was going to be coming here to the Bucs, it’s a cool experience knowing that you got guys there as well.”
Left tackle Tristan Wirfs, outside linebacker Anthony Nelson, and safety Kaevon Merriweather are all players who attended his alma mater and are on the active roster. That is not to mention practice squad inside linebacker Nick Jackson.
Jackson and Castro formed a brotherhood in college, and “Action Jackson” was excited to discuss reuniting with him in the NFL.
“I’m fired up,” Jackson told Pewter Report. “I love ‘Stro. That’s my guy, we were boys at Iowa so obviously having him in here feels more like home.”
When asked about what he will bring to Tampa Bay’s secondary, violence was the repeated word used to describe him.
“Very fast, physical, great open-field tackler,” Jackson added. “Just violence, he’s a violent football player. Seen a lot of big hits, a lot of open-field tackles, he’s really just a playmaker, at the end of the day.”
They had a lot of good memories during their two seasons together, having been a part of a 10-4 team in 2023 and an 8-5 squad in 2024. When asked about the fondest moment Jackson had of Castro, he pointed to Iowa’s 15-6 win over Wisconsin in 2023.
Castro played a vital role in winning that game, as he recorded seven tackles, two tackles for loss, and an interception. He stood out with a big game, on his birthday no less. As much as those numbers stood out, Jackson pointed to his ability to make critical open-field tackles.
“That Wisconsin game in 2023, I think he went five-for-five on open-field tackles on an NFL running back right now,” Jackson said. “I won’t name any names, but they were very impressive. Forced a fumble on it, too. I’ve seen him jump over offensive linemen to tackle a screen in the backfield. he’s done some wild things. In practice too, he’s done some crazy things. That’s a fast, that’s a violent football player. I’m excited to have him here.”
While humble enough not to name names, that running back was Braelon Allen, who is a well-built 6-foot-1, 235-pound workhorse for the Jets.
As Sebastian Castro looks to get up to speed learning the Bucs’ defense, he was thought of highly enough to be the player the team pursued to join the ranks in a talented secondary.
“It’s exciting times,” Castro said about entering the mix. “[They’ve] started off strong, and I’m pretty sure these guys are wanting to keep that up. It’s exciting times, whenever you’re with a good team. I’m lucky to be here.”
