Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales is seemingly getting his wish.
According to Joe Person of The Athletic, defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero is staying with the team through the 2024 season. Person also notes in a report from Monday morning that “most of his defensive staff” is expected to stick as well.
Canales told reporters during his introductory press conference this past Thursday that he expected Evero to return to the team, even with transition to a new regime. He, additionally, had quite the praise for the 43-year-old play-caller.
“Oh my gosh, just the respect factor that I have goin’ against him—I know the scheme goin’ against it, I’m really excited to learn more about the ins and outs as far as how the calls come in, the adjustments and all that,” Canales said. “I just know it was really difficult on me for years—whether it was in Seattle goin’ against the Rams and that family, or this year goin’ against EJ twice.
“And this is really important for me, especially as a first-time head coach. I’m here to make sure we get our football right, especially on the offensive side. That we have that continuity with the players. With EJ, just bein’ able to have the mentality that I saw that was really challenging to play against.”
The Panthers, in Evero’s first season with the organization, allowed the fourth-fewest yards in the NFL.
