CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers are backing defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.
Despite commanding one of the NFL’s all-time worst defenses, Evero, who will enter the final year of contract, will return in 2025, coach Dave Canales confirmed Monday.
The injury-depleted Panthers were forced to perform without several key starters, including defensive lineman Derrick Brown, who went out Week 1, and inside linebacker Shaq Thompson since Week 4.
The Panthers, who dressed more players last season than any team in the league, yielded 534 points, the most in league history. They also ranked last in total yards per game (404.5) and rushing yards per game (179.8).
Evero heard criticism for the team’s 3-4 base defense, but Canales backed the scheme. He knows first-hand what it’s like to face the alignment with a full complement of players.
“Yeah, I’ve played against this defense,” Canales said. “I’ve played against it in Seattle (against) the Rams for a bunch of years. I played against it twice last year. I know what this defense will look like. And I’m committed to that, Ejiro’s committed to that.
“So, it’s about developing the players we brought in. It’s about evaluating our schemes, so we have to be able to look at our schemes and be really critical of all those things as well. And it’s about seeing who’s out there to challenge our roster, who can help us to get this defense to the place that we know we can.”
@Panthers coach Dave Canales spoke Monday on why he endorsed DC Ejiro Evero returning in 2025 after an #NFL historically poor defensive performance … pic.twitter.com/7Q0Fst9VOt
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) January 7, 2025
Panthers Sign 10 To Futures Deals
Before cleaning out their lockers and exiting for the start of the offseason, 10 practice squad players found some security with the Panthers signing them future contacts.
Veteran tight end headlined the group, which included
offensive linemen, Ja’Tyre Carter, Andrew Raym and Brandon Walton, outside linebackers Kenny Dyson and Thomas Incoom, running back Emani Bailey, tight end Dominique Dafney and wide receivers Dax Milne and T.J. Luther.
Dyson and Incoom were activated for Sunday’s regular-season finale and both collected two tackles.
Matthews, 32, dressed for four games and mostly played special teams, registering one assisted tackle. The 2014 second-round draft pick remains a respected member of the locker room.
@Panthers TE Jordan Matthews (81) is seizing his @NFL training camp opportunity … pic.twitter.com/JF2ioeJcp9
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) August 11, 2024
