Panthers dismiss coordinator after Packers defeat

Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero lost his job on Friday after the team fell to the Green Bay Packers 27-19 on Thursday night. General manager Dan Morgan also dismissed defensive passing game coordinator Jonathan Cooley. Evero becomes the first defensive coordinator in the NFL to be let go during the 2026 season.

The Panthers enter Week 8 with a 3-4 record. Their defense ranks 22nd in the league overall and last against the run. Head coach Dave Canales made the call after consulting with owner David Tepper and executive vice president Brandt Tilis. Canales stated that the decision fell under his specific responsibilities as head coach.

Canales said he weighed the timing, the team's current position, and the overall group dynamics. "This falls squarely under the responsibilities of the head coach," Canales said. "As I was evaluating it and looking for what was best for the 2026 Carolina Panthers this was a decision that we discussed and weighed in all of the factors, the timing of it, the position of our group, all of those things to make the best decision going forward."

Evero joined the staff in 2023, a year before Canales arrived. Carolina finished last in defense and points allowed in 2024. The unit improved to 16th in overall defense and 15th in points allowed last season. Tepper had expressed a goal of returning to the playoffs after the team won the NFC South title in 2024.

The injury list has weighed on the unit. Starting cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson missed recent games. Backup cornerbacks Akayleb Evans and Will Lee joined injured reserve or left games due to injury. Horn and Jackson are expected to return later this season. Canales noted that injuries were a factor, but the decision relied on a collection of information over time.

Evero's defenses have allowed 200 rushing yards or more in 12 games since 2024. That is the highest total in the league during that span. The New York Giants and Washington Commanders both allowed six such games. The Panthers gave up 291 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns to Chicago in Week 1. They allowed 258 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns to Tampa Bay last week.

Defensive line coach Todd Wash will serve as interim defensive coordinator. He will call the defensive plays. Wash has 31 years of coaching experience, including 20 in the NFL. He served as defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars for five seasons. The Jaguars held the second-ranked defense in 2017 and reached the AFC Championship game under his watch.

Wash is not expected to overhaul the scheme midseason. Some adjustments to Evero's system are anticipated. Evero primarily used a 3-4 base front with occasional 4-3 looks. AC Carter, the outside linebackers coach, will add defensive line duties to his responsibilities. Renaldo Hill will continue to oversee the defensive backs.

The Panthers announced no other coaching changes at this time. Canales said he wants to ensure players are in the best position to make plays. He noted that returning players will be able to hear the new principles as the staff rolls out the changes.