Panters Sack Evero as Defense Struggles Against Run

The Carolina Panthers dismissed defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and defensive passing game coordinator Jonathan Cooley on Friday morning. The decision followed the team's 27-19 defeat by the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night. Evero becomes the first defensive coordinator in the National Football League to be let go this season.

Head coach Dave Canales made the call after consulting with team owner David Tepper, general manager Dan Morgan, and executive vice president of football operations Brandt Tilis. Canales stated that the choice fell squarely within his responsibilities as head coach. He said the move was based on a collection of information gathered over time rather than a single game.

Carolina entered Week 8 with a 3-4 record. The team ranked 22nd in the league in overall defense and last in the league against the run. The Panthers finished the 2024 season last in defense and points allowed. Last season, the unit improved to 16th in overall defense and 15th in points allowed.

The injury report complicated the defensive picture this season. Starting cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson missed the last few games. Backup cornerback Akayleb Evans was placed on injured reserve earlier this week. Will Lee, a fill-in starter, suffered an injury against Green Bay in the first half and left the game. Horn and Jackson are expected to return later this season.

Evero was hired by Carolina in 2023. Morgan signed him to a contract extension in January. Despite that investment, defenses under Evero have surrendered 200 rushing yards in 12 games since 2024. That total is far higher than any other team in the league. The New York Giants and Washington Commanders both allowed 200-yard rushing games six times during the same span.

The run defense issues were evident in recent losses. The Panthers gave up 291 rushing yards and six touchdowns to the Chicago Bears in Week 1. They allowed 258 rushing yards and three touchdowns to Tampa Bay in the previous week. Green Bay's Jordan Love passed for 288 yards with three touchdowns and one interception against Carolina on Thursday.

Defensive line coach Todd Wash will serve as the interim defensive coordinator. He will call the defensive plays. Wash joined the staff in 2023 and has 31 years of coaching experience, including 20 in the NFL. He spent five seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars had the second-ranked defense in the league in 2017 under his leadership.

The Panthers indicated that Wash is unlikely to overhaul the defensive scheme midseason. However, some tweaks to the system are expected. Evero primarily used a 3-4 base front mixed with 4-3 looks. Outside linebackers coach and run game specialist AC Carter will expand his role to include coaching the defensive line. Secondary coach Renaldo Hill will continue to oversee the defensive backs.

Canales said he wants to put players in the best position to make plays. He noted that returning players will be able to hear the new principles as the team rolls out the changes. The organization does not expect to make any other coaching changes at this time.