Panthers Fire Defensive Coordinator Evero After 70 Points in Five Days

The Carolina Panthers have fired defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, the first NFL coordinator to lose his job this season. The team announced on Friday morning that Evero and defensive passing-game coordinator Jonathan Cooley had been dismissed, with defensive line coach Todd Wash named interim coordinator and play-caller.

The moves came less than 12 hours after Carolina's 27-19 defeat at Green Bay on Thursday night, the second loss in a five-day stretch in which the Panthers conceded 70 points, following a 43-13 thrashing at Tampa Bay. Carolina, now 3-4, have allowed 27.6 points and 349.6 yards per game, ranking 27th and 23rd in the league respectively.

"Ultimately, this is my decision," head coach Dave Canales said on Friday. "This falls squarely under the responsibilities of the head coach." Evero, 45, joined Carolina in 2023 after a year as Denver's coordinator. The Panthers now have an extended break before hosting the Denver Broncos on November 8, giving Wash time to reshape a defence that ranks last in the league against the run.