Reports: Panthers keeping DC

The Carolina Panthers will retain defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and most of the defensive staff under new head coach Dave Canales, ESPN and The Athletic reported Monday. Evero, 43, just completed his first season in a three-year contract with Carolina and had interviewed for head-coaching vacancies with the Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons and Panthers.

Several teams reportedly were interested in Evero as a defensive coordinator, but the Panthers have the power to block lateral moves and used it on at least three teams’ requests, according to reports.

“This is really important for me,” Canales said at his introductory news conference Thursday of keeping Evero on staff. “Especially as a first-time head coach who’s like, ‘I’m here to make sure we get our football right.

‘” Evero joined then-coach Frank Reich’s staff in Carolina last season after serving as the defensive coordinator with the Denver Broncos in 2022. Before joining the Broncos under former head coach Nathaniel Hackett, Evero was an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Rams (2017-21), Green Bay Packers (2016), San Francisco 49ers (2011-15) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2007-09).

Canales was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator in 2023 and faced the Panthers and Evero’s defensive schemes twice. Though the Bucs won both games, 21-18 and 9-0, Canales said the Carolina defense was “really hard to deal with.”

“Great, sound football, playing hard, some great players in some spots, and just the whole thing coming together,” Canales said.