Panthers dismiss defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero after loss to Packers

The Carolina Panthers dismissed defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and defensive passing game coordinator Jonathan Cooley on Friday, making a major midseason change to their coaching staff less than 24 hours after a 27-19 loss to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

Defensive line coach Todd Wash will step into the role of interim defensive coordinator and assume defensive play-calling duties, the team announced. Outside linebackers coach and run game specialist AC Carter will expand his responsibilities to instruct the defensive line, while secondary coach Renaldo Hill will continue managing the defensive backs.

Struggles on Defense Force Midseason Pivot

The coaching shakeup comes as Carolina fell to 3-4 on the season, dropping two straight games. Despite their sub-.500 mark, the Panthers remain tied with the Atlanta Falcons for first place in the NFC South, NBC Sports reported.

Evero, 45, initially joined Carolina in 2023 under former head coach Frank Reich. When Dave Canales took over as head coach in 2024, Evero was retained, and the team signed him to a contract extension through the 2027 campaign earlier this year, according to Easy Sportz.

However, the unit has suffered steep declines during the 2026 season. Through eight weeks of the NFL schedule, Carolina has yielded 27.6 points per game, which ranks 27th in the league, Fox News reported. The Panthers also rank near the bottom against the run, surrendering 140.7 rushing yards per contest, according to United Press International.

The defensive troubles began early, when Carolina yielded 59 points to the Chicago Bears in the season opener. The group surrendered 43 points to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week before allowing Packers quarterback Jordan Love to complete 30 of 41 passes for 288 yards and three touchdowns on Thursday night.

Roster Depleted by Injuries

The Panthers’ defensive performance has been complicated by mounting health issues across the depth chart, Fox News noted. The team has played recent contests without starting cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson.

Depth took a further hit this week when reserve cornerback Akayleb Evans was placed on injured reserve. The team is also missing defensive tackle Cam Jackson, who is sidelined with a shoulder injury, as well as linebackers Nic Scourton, out with a torn ACL, and Thomas Incoom, who suffered a calf injury.

Wash Brings Veteran Experience

Wash steps into the coordinator role with 31 years of coaching experience, including two decades in the NFL. He previously served five seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2016 through 2020. Under his direction, the 2017 Jaguars defense finished second overall in the league and reached the AFC Championship Game.

Wash has worked on Carolina’s staff since 2023. Canales is counting on the veteran coach to stabilize a defensive unit that has struggled against both the run and the pass before the team’s postseason ambitions slip away.

The Panthers now have extra rest before they return to action at home against the Denver Broncos on Nov. 8 in Charlotte, North Carolina.