Panthers Replace Evero With Todd Wash as Interim DC — SkimNews
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- Ejiro Evero was relieved of Carolina's defensive coordinator duties after leading the defense since 2023 across 59 games; his first season finished fourth overall before the unit became the first since 1980 to allow 3,000 rushing yards.
- Todd Wash, the longtime defensive line coach, will serve as interim defensive coordinator for the remaining 10 games; he was Jacksonville's coordinator from 2016-20, when his 2017 defense ranked second and reached the AFC Championship Game.
- Jonathan Cooley was also let go as defensive passing game coordinator, with Renaldo Hill overseeing the entire defensive back operation and AC Carter taking over defensive line duties; Cooley and Evero previously won a Super Bowl together with the Los Angeles Rams.
- Carolina's defense allowed 291 rushing yards and eight total touchdowns in the Week 1 loss to Chicago and 258 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns in the Week 6 setback to Tampa Bay, then surrendered 354 net yards and four touchdowns in Thursday's 27-19 loss to Green Bay.
- Carolina Panthers ranked 30th against the run, ninth against the pass and 23rd in total defense through seven games, while conceding 27.6 points per game, sixth-most in the league.
- Ejiro Evero's defenses have surrendered 200 or more rushing yards in a league-leading 12 games since 2024, six more than the Giants or Commanders, who share the next-best mark.
- Carolina's 2025 unit improved after adding safety Tre'von Moehrig in free agency and outside linebackers Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen in the draft, then held Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs to pedestrian numbers in 2026 wins but suffered major letdowns against Chicago, Tampa Bay and Cleveland.
Why it matters: Carolina's internal succession gives Todd Wash control for the final 10 games and Renaldo Hill the secondary, after Evero and Cooley were removed. The measurable gap is on the ground: Carolina ranked 30th against the run and allowed 200-plus rushing yards in 12 games since 2024, six more than the next-best unit.
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