The Panthers are firing defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. NFL Trade Rumors, relaying Fowler's report, adds that the team announced defensive line coach Todd Wash as interim coordinator for the rest of the season. It also said Carolina is moving on from defensive pass game coordinator Jonathan Cooley. CBS Sports describes the changes as broader than Evero alone, but the feed summaries we have name only Cooley.
The timing follows Thursday's 27-19 loss at Green Bay. By CBS Sports' count, Evero's unit was the NFL's No. 30 scoring defense at 26.3 points per game after four years with the club. Yahoo Sports notes he was hired in 2023 under former coach Frank Reich and stayed on when Dave Canales took over. The sources we have don't say why the club acted now, and we won't guess.
Our own box score shows the loss was not a total defensive collapse. Carolina's offense managed 258 yards, went 5-for-18 on third down and gave up six sacks. The defense, though, let the Packers convert 9 of 16 third downs and complete 30 of 41 passes for 288 yards and three touchdowns from Jordan Love. Green Bay had no sacks against it and finished with 354 total yards to Carolina's 258. Christian Watson caught eight passes for 113 yards.
The Packers game came four days after a 43-13 home loss to Tampa Bay on Oct. 25. Carolina has allowed 70 points across its last two games, both losses. That stretch followed a 25-14 win at Philadelphia on Oct. 18. The Panthers' season run differential is minus 15.
The record keeps the stakes real for Wash. Carolina is 3-4, which still leaves it atop the NFC South, but Atlanta is also 3-4. Tampa Bay and New Orleans are both 2-5. The 3-4 start, as Yahoo Sports framed it, leaves the division open for whichever club stabilizes first.
Wash's first game as interim coordinator comes Sunday, Nov. 8, when Carolina hosts Denver. The Broncos are 5-2 and on a three-game winning streak. The reporting doesn't say whether Wash will also take over play-calling or whether other staffers will change roles. Those details may come once the club speaks further.
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