Panthers staff shakeup: Evero dismissed after Green Bay defeat
Carolina's defensive coordinator and passing game coordinator were let go following a 27-19 loss that left the team at 3-4.
By Pedro Barnes ·
The Carolina Panthers fired defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and defensive passing game coordinator Jonathan Cooley on Friday, one day after a 27-19 road loss to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The moves mark the first coordinator dismissals across the NFL this season and leave the team at 3-4 after a second consecutive defeat.
Evero, 45, had run the defense under head coach Dave Canales since 2024. Carolina allowed 31.4 points per game in his first season, the worst mark in the league, then cut that figure to 23 per game in 2025, which ranked 16th. This year, the unit has given up 27.6 points per game, 27th in the NFL.
The defense has been depleted by injuries. Cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson have missed recent games, and backup Akayleb Evans landed on injured reserve earlier this week. Linebackers Nic Scourton (ACL) and Thomas Incoom (calf) and defensive tackle Cam Jackson (shoulder) are also on injured reserve.
Defensive line coach Todd Wash takes over as interim defensive coordinator and play-caller. Wash arrived in Carolina in 2023 and has 31 years of coaching experience, 20 of them in the NFL. He spent five seasons as Jacksonville's defensive coordinator; the Jaguars ranked second in the league defensively in 2017 under Wash and reached the AFC Championship game. Outside linebackers coach and run game specialist AC Carter will add defensive line duties to his role, the team said.
Despite the losing record, Carolina still leads the NFC South. The Panthers visit the Denver Broncos, 5-2, on Nov. 8.
