Panthers fire defensive coordinator after Packers loss

The Carolina Panthers dismissed defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and defensive passing game coordinator Jonathan Cooley on Friday, following a 27-19 defeat to the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night. Evero is the first NFL coordinator to be fired in the 2026 season.

The decision comes as Carolina enters Week 8 with a 3-4 record. The team is currently ranked 22nd in overall defense and last in the league against the run. Head coach Dave Canales stated that he consulted with owner David Tepper, general manager Dan Morgan, and executive vice president Brandt Tilis, but the final choice was his own.

"This falls squarely under the responsibilities of the head coach," Canales said Friday. "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 was hired by Carolina in 2023. Since then, his defenses have allowed 12 games where opponents rushed for 200 yards or more. That total is the highest in the league since 2024. The New York Giants and Washington Commanders are next, with six such games each. In the recent loss to Green Bay, the Panthers also allowed quarterback Jordan Love to pass for 288 yards and three touchdowns.

Injury issues have complicated the defensive unit. Starting cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson have been out recently. Backup cornerback Akayleb Evans was placed on injured reserve earlier this week. Another starter, Will Lee, left the Packers game in the first half due to an injury. Horn and Jackson are expected to return later in the season.

Defensive line coach Todd Wash will serve as interim defensive coordinator. Wash has 31 years of coaching experience, including 20 in the NFL. He previously led the Jacksonville Jaguars to the AFC Championship game in 2017. The Panthers said Wash will call defensive plays and that some tweaks to Evero's 3-4 and 4-3 defensive fronts are expected. Outside linebackers coach AC Carter will also take on defensive line duties, while secondary coach Renaldo Hill remains in charge of defensive backs.