Ejiro

Evero

This is good news for the Panthers and newly minted head coach Dave Canales, who spoke glowingly of Evero. Having competed against Evero in 2023 as the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator, Canales said Evero’s defense “was really hard to deal with,” and he’s “really excited to learn more about the ins and outs” of his calls and adjustments. Evero has been on the head coaching radar in back-to-back offseasons and probably isn’t long for Carolina beyond this season. His defense was the lone bright spot for the Panthers in 2023 and will likely be a highlight again next season. Another successful year could be enough for another team to hire him into a head coaching role in 2025.

Evero has already received a request for a second interview from the Seahawks and can now add the Falcons to that mix. The 43-year-old defensive coordinator has been a popular name throughout this coaching cycle and received a handful of interviews last year as well. Evero and his defense were one of the few bright spots for the Panthers last season, allowing the fourth-fewest yards per game while ranking in the top 10 in passing yards allowed and net yards per attempt.

Seattle is also planning second interviews with Carolina defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, and Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. It’s certainly a thorough process to replace longtime head coach Pete Carroll. Morris has drawn interest from several teams and could have his pick of head coaching jobs in the next week or two. Quinn’s chances to land the Seattle job might have been dinged by the Cowboys’ defensive meltdown against the Packers in the Wild Card round.

The only other team rumored to be interested in Evero is the Panthers. The 43-year-old defensive coordinator is in his first season with the Panthers after serving in the same role last year with the Broncos, and coached up a stout defense in 2023 for a team that finished as the worst in the league. The Panthers allowed the fourth-most points in the league, but their 4.9 yards per play ranked as the sixth-best mark of any defense this season, while they ranked fourth overall in yards allowed. Evero is regarded as an up-and-comer defensive mind and should see his stock continue to grow even if he’s passed on during this coaching cycle.

The Panthers this week blocked the Jaguars from interviewing Evero for the team’s defensive coordinator vacancy. An up-and-coming name, Evero should be considered a favorite to land the Panthers head coaching gig — if he wants it. Carolina’s defense was surprisingly stout against the pass throughout 2023 while failing to stop opposing rushing attacks. Evero will surely be a finalist for the Carolina head coaching job.

The coach in Denver who actually pulled his weight in 2022 now has a new home. Evero garnered head coaching interviews from the Texans (twice), Colts (twice), the Broncos, and ... well, the Panthers. This comes down after the Broncos let Evero out of his contract on Saturday. It’s a major get for a Panthers defense that has the talent to be special and gelled under Steve Wilks down the stretch. With Frank Reich taking care of the offense, the Panthers could be a playoff threat in 2023 if they are able to come up with non-ghastly quarterback play. The rest of the NFC South has not exactly taken a leap forward this offseason, either. This will probably be a one-year trial for Evero as he figures to be a hot head coaching candidate next year as well so long as his defense lives up to the hype.

Both clubs had requested permission to interview the defensive coordinator for the same position but were waiting for a response from the Broncos. This move opens the door for the Vikings and Panthers to conduct their interviews with one of the league’s most sought after defensive coordinators this offseason. Evero and Brian Flores are considered the leading candidates to land the Minnesota defensive coordinator vacancy.

Evero previously interviewed for Carolina’s head coaching position and reportedly impressed enough to be brought back in for an interview for their defensive coordinator position. Minnesota reportedly is looking to interview Evero for their defensive coordinator vacancy as well but the Broncos have yet to grant the NFC North franchise permission. It will be interesting to see Denver’s response to Carolina after denying Minnesota the interview.

Evero, who was passed over for the Broncos’ head coach job, met with new coach Sean Payton about remaining with the team in 2023. Denver blocked Atlanta from interviewing Evero earlier this offseason but the Vikings are holding out for a chance to hire him away from the Broncos. Denver has been lining up interviews with defensive coordinators, pointing to Evero not being back. In addition to the Vikings, Evero would be a top target for the Rams if DC Raheem Morris lands the Colts’ head coach job.

The team’s current defensive coordinator, Ejiro Evero, is likely to leave for a head coaching job after landing interviews with several teams. Flores, a former head coach in Miami, is also in the running for the Vikings and Falcons defensive coordinator jobs. Among the most respected defensive minds in the NFL, Flores will have a chance to coach a Denver defense that was borderline elite through much of an otherwise-disappointing 2022 season. Pro Football Focus graded the Broncos as the fourth best coverage unit in 2022, and Denver allowed the ninth lowest EPA per play.