Panthers fire defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero after loss to Packers

The Carolina Panthers fired defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero on Friday morning, the day after a 27-19 loss at Green Bay on Thursday Night Football. The team announced the staff changes on its official account, and defensive passing game coordinator Jonathan Cooley is out as well.

What is confirmed

Defensive line coach Todd Wash is the interim defensive coordinator and will call the defensive plays, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and the team's announcement. Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero confirmed the firing, and ESPN's Jeremy Fowler was first with the news shortly after 10 AM ET.

Evero had run the Carolina defense since 2023, before Dave Canales arrived as head coach. The Panthers extended his contract last year, and Canales had backed him publicly. Adam Schefter noted that this is the first in-season coordinator firing in the NFL this year. Fowler pointed to the run defense as a problem and said Canales is using the break in the schedule to make changes.

Why the timing matters

Carolina does not play again until Sunday, Nov. 8, at home against Denver. That gives Wash about 10 days to install his calls before his first game, which is more runway than most interim coordinators get.

The change touches only the defensive side. Canales and the offensive staff are untouched, so there is no direct change to how Carolina's quarterback, running backs or receivers are used.

What RSO owners should do now

For most RSO leagues, this is a hold-and-watch move. Nothing about the offensive skill group shifts on Friday, so there is no reason to cut or chase a Carolina skill player because of it.

In leagues that start individual defensive players, Panthers defenders carry more uncertainty for the next few weeks. A new play caller can change how linebackers and edge rushers are deployed, and snap shares can move. Don't pay up in a trade for a Carolina defender until you see Wash's first game plan.

Owners who face Carolina's defense with their own players should also wait a week before reading too much into the matchup. Past results under Evero are a weaker guide now.

What to watch next

Watch for any further staff moves before Nov. 8, Canales' first comments on what he wants from Wash, and how the Panthers line up against Denver's offense. If the run defense improves under Wash, opponents' backfields become less attractive matchups for the rest of the season.