This article is written by Mark Bergin, a senior producer for WRAL on multiple platforms.

According to reports, the Carolina Panthers are likely to keep their defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and the majority of his team for the 2024 season.

Joseph Person from The Athletic and David Newton from ESPN were among the initial reporters to break the story.

At the introductory press conference last week, Dave Canales, the new head coach of the Panthers, commended Evero’s defensive skills.

“I faced the Panthers twice in 2023 while serving as the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,” Canales shared. “The way EJ Evero led the defense was a difficult challenge. They played solid football, showed great effort, had talented players in key positions, and everything just clicked.”

At age 43, Evero was interviewed twice for the position of head coach for the Seattle Seahawks. Ultimately, the team chose to hire Mike Macdonald instead.

According to various reports, the Panthers prevented Evero from being considered for defensive coordinator positions with other teams due to contractual obligations. This restriction applied to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, and New York Giants, as they were all considered lateral moves.

Despite a disappointing 2-15 record during the 2023 regular season, let’s take a look at how the Panthers’ defense performed.

• Permitted an average of 24.5 points per game, ranking 29th in the NFL.

• Gave up an average of 293.9 yards per game (ranking fourth in the NFL)

• Allowed an average of 171.5 passing yards per game, ranking third in the NFL.

• They permitted an average of 122.4 rushing yards per game, ranking 23rd in the NFL.

Brad Idzik has been named the offensive coordinator for the Panthers.

Idzik and Canales have previously collaborated. In the past year, Idzik held the position of wide receivers coach for the Buccaneers.

Source: wralsportsfan.com