Panthers fire Evero, Cooley after loss to Packers

Ejiro Evero. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Panthers fire DC Ejiro Evero, defensive passing game coordinator Jonathan Cooley after loss to Packers

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Oct 30, 2026 11:16 AM ET

When the Carolina Panthers take the field again in Week 9 against the Denver Broncos, the coaching staff will look a bit different than it did in Thursday's loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Carolina has made several coaching changes

Just 12 hours after the 27-19 loss to Green Bay on Thursday, Carolina head coach Dave Canales made multiple coaching changes.

The first change was the firing of defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. Evero had served as the defensive coordinator since the 2023 season but has now been let go, as his defense is allowing 27.6 points per game this season, the sixth most in the NFL.

Additionally, Canales made the decision to also fire defensive passing game coordinator Jonathan Cooley. Cooley had served in that role since the 2024.

With the firing of the two defensive coaches, Carolina's defensive line coach Todd Walsh has been named the interim defensive coordinator and will call the plays for the remainder of the season.

The #Panthers officially fired DC Ejiro Evero and defensive passing game coordinator Jonathan Cooley.

DL coach Todd Wash has been named interim defensive coordinator and will call the defensive plays. https://t.co/axpgBnVxZK
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 30, 2026

Is the firing of Ejiro Evero a fair one?

While the Panthers defense has struggled in the previous two games, the recent weeks before that were solid. If you focus in on Weeks 2-6, the defense had allowed just 15.7 points per game, one of the best marks in the NFL in that span.

Carolina's defense is also extremely banged up, as several key starters have missed multiple games this season and that was the case again on Thursday. The Panthers were missing Devin Lloyd, Jaycee Horn, Jaelan Phillips and several key defensive players. It feels like a bit of a premature move by Canales for a defense that, when healthy, has shown an ability to put together solid efforts.

Despite all the injuries, the blame ultimately fell on Evero. Carolina will have the remainder of this season to begin planning for who it will possibly bring in as its new defensive coordinator in 2027.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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