Panthers Fire DC Ejiro Evero, Todd Wash Named Interim After Losses to Packers, Bucs

After allowing 70 points in two losses over the past four days, the Carolina Panthers are making a change at defensive coordinator.

Panthers head coach Dave Canales announced on Friday that Ejiro Evero has been fired and defensive line coach Todd Wash will take over as defensive coordinator for the remainder of the season.

The Panthers also fired defensive pass game coordinator Jonathan Cooley.

Carolina followed up a 43-13 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday with a 27-19 defeat against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night.

The Panthers have allowed at least 26 points in four of their six games this season. Their season started by giving up 59 points and 552 yards to the Chicago Bears in Week 1. Both of those remain the highest single-game totals for any team in 2026.

Overall, the Panthers rank 27th in points allowed and 30th in rushing yards allowed per game. Their 12 rushing touchdowns allowed are the most by any defense.

Evero was in his fourth season as Carolina's defensive coordinator. He was hired in February 2023 by then-head coach Frank Reich and remained in his role after Canales took over in January 2024.

After finishing 29th and 32nd in points allowed during Evero's first two years as defensive coordinator, 2025 saw the unit take a step forward. The defense ranked 15th in points allowed, its highest ranking in that category since 2017.

Carolina was expected to take a step forward this season after making the playoffs last season. The offense has largely done its part with 25.4 points per game, ninth-best in the NFL.

But the struggles on defense are leading to the Panthers slowly falling down the NFC standings. Playing in the NFC South does help, as their 3-4 record has them tied with the Atlanta Falcons for first place.

Wash is also in his fourth season with the Panthers as a holdover from Reich's staff in 2023. He has five years of experience as a defensive coordinator from 2016 to '20 when he was with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Carolina has a few extra days of rest before returning to play in Week 9 against the Denver Broncos at Bank of America Stadium.