Despite finishing the 2025 season with an 8-9 record, head coach Dave Canales and the Carolina Panthers backed their way into an NFC South title and their first home playoff game since the 2015 season. They came up short against the Los Angeles Rams in Super Wild Card Weekend, with many of the issues coming from the defensive side of the football.
While some thought the performance may spur a change in Charlotte, Canales gave defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero a vote of confidence, telling the media he’s already set to rejoin the team in 2026.
Carolina Panthers HC Dave Canales Gives DC Ejiro Evero a Vote of Confidence
Despite an up-and-down year, Canales seems ready to run it back with Evero for the 2026 season. The defense had some nice outings, but overall, the unit struggled to maintain consistency in 2025, allowing 22.4 points per game. They also ranked in the bottom half of the NFL in PFSN’s Defense Impact Metric, coming in 25th overall with an impact score of 69.2.
Despite the struggles this past season, Canales was very open about the status of the coaching staff at the Panthers’ facility following the 34-31 Wild Card loss to the Rams. When asked about Evero’s contract, which was set to expire after the season, Canales explained they had already extended his contract and that Evero would “absolutely” be back as defensive coordinator, according to The Athletic’s Joe Person.
Dave Canales says Ejiro Evero’s contract has been extended. Was originally set to expire after the ’25 season.
Add Evero “absolutely” will be back as defensive coordinator.— Joe Person (@josephperson) January 11, 2026
After ranking at the bottom of the league a season ago, scoring a 57.9 in PFSN’s DEFi, the 11-point jump and climbing seven spots in the rankings in 2025 is respectable, but there’s still plenty of work to be done. Evero will need to show comparable improvement this season at a minimum to justify Canales’ decision.
Given the fact that the Panthers have their first-round pick in 2026 and had a major hit for the offense after drafting wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan eighth overall in 2025, Carolina may be willing to take a swing on defense this time around. Given the roster holes, some defensive investment will be needed in the 2026 offseason.
However, for those pointing to the offseason loss as a reason to let Evero go, it’s essential to recognize that the 2025 postseason appearance was a first for many on the roster. Canales hopes that maintaining consistency in the coaching staff will continue to produce the improvement Carolina saw on defense from 2024 to 2025.
