Overview
- The Panthers dismissed defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and defensive passing game coordinator Jonathan Cooley, announcing the moves on Friday after a Thursday night loss to the Green Bay Packers.
- Defensive line coach Todd Wash was promoted to interim defensive coordinator and will call plays while outside linebackers coach AC Carter will add defensive line duties and Renaldo Hill stays with the secondary.
- The decision responds to sustained defensive failures this season, including allowing a franchise‑record 59 points in Week 1, a 43‑13 loss to Tampa Bay, and league‑worst run defense metrics.
- Canales said he gathered input from owner David Tepper and GM Dan Morgan but made the call himself to try to rebuild player buy‑in and cohesion on a unit also hampered by injuries to key corners and front‑seven players.
- The move is the first in‑season coordinator firing reported across the NFL this year and will be judged quickly when Wash calls the defense in Carolina’s Week 9 home game against the Denver Broncos.