Jan. 23, 2026, 1:50 p.m. ET

Despite having both ups and downs over his three seasons with the Carolina Panthers, defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero is destined to become an NFL head coach. Not only was he receiving looks at that level prior to joining the team in 2023, but he remains under consideration here in 2026—with the Las Vegas Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers expressing real interest.

So, it still seems like a matter of when, not if, Evero departs.

And if he does, who could the Panthers replace him with?

Here are nine potential names to consider in the event that Evero is hired away from Carolina:

In-house favorite

Jonathan Cooley (Panthers defensive passing game coordinator): Cooley, the most logical replacement, is held in high regard within the organization. He’s essentially the next in line for the position, and a promotion would allow Carolina to keep their scheme and personnel in place.

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Along with the mission to develop players, head coach Dave Canales has also preached hopes of developing his staffers. That appears to be the case with Cooley, who has served as a play-caller during the preseason.

Out-of-house connections

Karl Scott (Seattle Seahawks defensive passing game coordinator): Scott has helped construct one of the NFL’s most daunting defenses. He joined Seattle in 2022, Canales’ final season with the Seahawks.

Ken Norton Jr. (Washington Commanders linebackers coach): Norton has seven years of experience as a defensive coordinator, four of which (2018 to 2021) overlapped with Canales’ time in Seattle. He and Canales crossed paths at the University of Southern California in 2009 and both, along with Panthers general manager Dan Morgan, made the jump to the Seahawks in 2010.

Andre Curtis (Dallas Cowboys defensive passing game coordinator): Curtis shared the sidelines with Canales from 2015 to 2021. He could be on the outs in Dallas after the Cowboys’ hiring of new defensive coordinator Christian Parker.

George Edwards (Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive passing game coordinator): Edwards was the Bucs’ outside linebackers coach during Canales’ lone season in Tampa. He might be able to amp up the Panthers’ struggling pass rush.

Out-of-the-box names

Daronte Jones (Minnesota Vikings defensive passing game coordinator): Speaking of bringing the heat—Jones comes from the exotic, pressure-filled unit of defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

Patrick Graham (Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator): Graham, like Evero, uses multiple looks off a 3-4 base. He may come with an endorsement from Canales’ mentor in now-former Raiders head coach Pete Carroll.

Joe Cullen (Kansas City Chiefs defensive line coach): Cullen values versatility in his scheme as well. He’s had a hand in fielding a consistently solid Chiefs defense.

Jim Leonhard (Denver Broncos defensive passing game coordinator): Leonhard has been a popular name in recent weeks. Perhaps the Panthers would look to Denver to fill a potential DC opening for the second straight time.

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