The Carolina Panthers have made the first coordinator firing of the NFL season.
After the team’s 27-19 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night at Lambeau Field, the Panthers announced Friday that they had fired defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and defensive passing game coordinator Jonathan Cooley. The loss was the Panthers’ second straight and dropped them to 3-4.
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The Panthers named defensive line coach Todd Wash their interim defensive coordinator and play-caller.
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Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero looks on during an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Evero, 45, had been head coach Dave Canales’ defensive coordinator since 2024. In his first season, the Panthers’ defense allowed 31.4 points per game, which was last in the NFL, but the unit improved in 2025. Last season, the defense allowed 23 points per game, which ranked 16th in the NFL.
However, the unit has regressed this season, as its points allowed have climbed to 27.6 per game, which ranks 27th in the NFL. Unfortunately for Evero, his unit has been decimated by injuries.
The Panthers have played the last few games without starting cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson. Backup cornerback Akayleb Evans joined them on injured reserve earlier this week. In addition, linebackers Nic Scourton (ACL) and Thomas Incoom (calf injury) and defensive tackle Cam Jackson (shoulder injury) are also on IR.
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Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero stands during a game between the New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 28, 2025, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. (Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Despite being 3-4, the Panthers are still atop the lowly NFC South, and Canales is hoping Wash can spark the defense as they seek their second straight division title.
Wash joined Carolina’s staff in 2023 and has 31 years of coaching experience, including 20 in the NFL. He spent five seasons serving as the defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars had the second-ranked defense in the league in 2017 under Wash and advanced to the AFC Championship game.
Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero looks on during an NFL game against the New England Patriots on Sept. 28, 2025, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. (Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Outside linebackers coach/run game specialist AC Carter’s responsibilities will expand to include coaching the defensive line, the Panthers announced.
The Panthers will look to right the ship when they play the Denver Broncos (5-2) a week from Sunday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
