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Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero of the Carolina Panthers.
The Carolina Panthers feel good about where they are as a franchise going into next season. After making the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 season and coming close to upsetting the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round, things are looking up.
Next season, the Panthers will hopefully run back their core group of players and coaches, but with so many coach openings this offseason, it may be tough to retain all of them.
One name continuing to generate buzz for a potential head coaching position is Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.
Steelers Have Interest
For the first time since 2007, the Pittsburgh Steelers are looking for a new head coach after Mike Tomlin stepped down from the position. The Steelers will be casting a wide net in their search, and Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero is one of the names they are bringing in for an interview.
According to Ian Rapoport on Twitter, the Steelers have requested to speak with the 45-year-old defensive coordinator.
Evero has been a popular name in NFL circles, having completed head-coaching interviews with the Atlanta Falcons and the Las Vegas Raiders earlier this month.
Panthers head coach Dave Canales has raved about what Evero has brought to the team. Darin Gantt and Kassidy Hill of Panthers.com wrote about Canales’ praise of Evero in their January 11 article.
“I have complete trust in Ejiro,” Canales said. “Love the way that he’s brought this group to play quality football together, and he’s got my full support. Love our scheme, love what we do there, and getting our guys to play together when we execute this scheme, it’s really difficult to play against, and the guys have found a way to play together, communicate together.”
Dan Morgan Believes in Evero’s Defense
Ejiro Evero surviving the disastrous 2024 season for the Panthers on defense seemed like a miracle. Evero’s defense in 2024 allowed the most points in NFL history, but this season, after a few offseason additions, the defense bounced back. The Panthers ranked 15th in scoring defense and 16th in total defense.
Panthers President of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan explained why Evero was given a contract extension at his press conference on Tuesday. Anthony Rizzuti of Panthers Wire wrote about Morgan’s explanation.
“If you look at EJ, if you’re around him every day—you see the way he works, how smart he is,” Morgan replied. “I believe in his defense, I believe in his philosophy. He’s really good at developing players.”
Morgan then explained how it’s his job to supply Evero with the right personnel on defense.
“Again, it’s my job as well to put him with the right personnel,” Morgan said. “And again, it’s a patience thing to where we’re gonna attack those needs and we’re gonna get better across the board. As you see us keep adding talent on our roster, players on our roster developing—I think you’ll see that defense keep ascending.”
Evero is a name that continues to come up in head coaching conversations, and in the meantime, while he’s still a coordinator, the Panthers organization is happy to have him.
Chad Gelfand Chad Gelfand is a journalist covering the NFL with focus on the Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks, and Carolina Panthers for Heavy.com. Gelfand has over six years of writing experience.
Gelfand previously covered the Philadelphia Eagles for Last Word On Sports. He also has experience writing in the worlds of entertainment and wrestling.
Gelfand was an Entertainment writer for the List.com, and a contributor for Fansided’s wrestling website Daily DDT and The Wrestling Estate. Gelfand has also appeared multiple times as a guest on POST Wrestling’s “Bushby and Thompson’s Wrestling Adventure” podcast. More about Chad Gelfand
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