Dave Canales expects Ejiro Evero back as Panthers' defensive coordinator

Dave Canales has his work cut out for him as he takes over the Carolina Panthers as head coach. That job gets a little easier, though, based on the latest regarding the future of DC Ejiro Evero with the franchise.

Canales spoke about Evero during his introductory press conference with the Panthers on Thursday. From what he said, his expectation is that Evero will be back as Carolina’s defensive coordinator on his staff.

“For me? What a huge piece of what we’re doing,” Canales said.

Canales knows of Evero’s importance too considering the challenge that his defenses have presented to his offenses in the past.

“Oh my gosh. Just the respect factor I have,” said Canales in reference to Evero as a foe on the opposite sideline. “It was really difficult for me for years.”

Evero just completed his first season as the defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers. This came after one campaign in the same role with the Denver Broncos. In total, he has a decade and a half of experience in the league with other stops with the Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay, San Francisco, and Tampa Bay.

In 2023, the Panthers’ defense finished 29th overall in the NFL by allowing 24.5 points per game. The unit gave up nearly 5,000 yards of offense at 4.9 yards per play and 2.1 points per drive. They forced a league-low of just 11 turnovers as well.

In two games against Canales when he was Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator last season, Evero’s defenses found some more success. They allowed 30 total points, including a season-low for the Buccaneers of seven in the season finale, on an average of 275 yards a game. After giving up three touchdowns in the first meeting in a three-point loss, they gave up only three field goals to them in the final game of the season.

The Panthers’ defense has finished outside of the top half of the league for some time now. That’s why, with Canales joining on as head coach, keeping Evero on staff is an important outcome for Carolina to keep some continuity on the sideline.

Panthers name Brandt Tilis as Executive VP of Football Operations

The Carolina Panthers announced on Wednesday that they’ve named Brandt Tilis as their new Executive Vice President of Football Operations.

Tilis will serve under newly hired President of Football Operations/GM Dan Morgan. Tilis will be responsible for all football administration and non-coaching matters related to operations, equipment, video, and analytics among other areas. He will also lead player contract negotiations, compliance with the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement and league rules, salary cap management, and maintenance and labor administration per the team release.

“It’s great to add Brandt and his experience to our organization,” Morgan said in a statement. “He comes from a championship-caliber team in Kansas City and will play a lead role in our front office. We are looking forward to getting him here and working together to build this team.”

Tilis spent 14 seasons in Kansas City’s front office, including the last three as Vice President of Football Operations.