Feb. 9, 2026, 1:12 p.m. ET
The Carolina Panthers‘ defensive staff is still attracting some outside eyes.
According to ESPN senior NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler, the Cleveland Browns have requested to interview Panthers defensive passing game coordinator Jonathan Cooley for their defensive coordinator position. The highly-regarded assistant coach has spent the last three seasons with Carolina.
Cooley was hired by the Panthers in 2023, as their cornerbacks/secondary coach. He received a promotion to his current post ahead of the 2024 campaign.
Prior to landing in Carolina, Cooley worked his first three NFL seasons for the Los Angeles Rams. He served as a defensive quality control coach, assistant secondary coach and defensive backs coach there from 2020 to 2022.
Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, who crossed paths with Cooley back in Los Angeles, also garnered interest this offseason. Evero interviewed for head-coaching jobs with the Atlanta Falcons, Las Vegas Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.
Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.