Panthers’ rising assistant coach is getting serious looks for an opportunity to lead an elite-caliber defense
Dave Canales and Ejiro Evero might have to replace a rising assistant on the coaching staff sooner than expected.
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales scored a massive win this offseason with defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero expected to return to the staff in 2026 after interviewing for the Las Vegas Raiders head coaching position this offseason.
Fans might feel a different way about Evero following his third season with the team, especially considering how things went in the wild card loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Regardless of the external feelings for Evero, the Panthers still have faith in his scheme and his ability to lead the defense once the front office adds more pieces to the unit this offseason. But, Evero could be in danger of losing one of his top assistants on the defensive side of the ball.
Browns request to interview Jonathan Cooley for vacant defensive coordinator position
The Cleveland Browns submitted a slip on Monday to interview Panthers defensive pass-game coordinator Jonathan Cooley for their vacant defensive coordinator job, arguably the top coordinator position still available this cycle. The Browns are also showing interest in Rams assistant head coach and passing game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant for the role.
Cooley is a rising name in the coaching ranks after previously coaching with the Rams before following Evero to Carolina. Last offseason, Cooley also received an interview for the Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator position showing the kind of interest he has around the league.
Cooley’s specialty is his work with the secondary after leading the position with the Rams and with the Panthers before taking on the defensive pass-game coordinator role. Under his watch, Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn posted back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons.
This year alone, Horn and fellow Panthers cornerback Mike Jackson combined for nine interceptions and in the previous season, the duo combined for 30 pass breakups. In his first season as the defensive passing game coordinator, the Panthers were tied for the eight-most interceptions with 15.
“He approaches the game like a true pro, and you don’t hear that on the coaching side; you just hear that mainly on the player side,” Jackson said, via Panthers.com. “So he’s not going to be here long. He’s going to be a coordinator very, very soon, so I got to take advantage of it right here.”
Browns defensive coordinator job is an elite position that’ll be hard to pass up, if offered
Saying Cooley kills the interview process, the Browns defensive coordinator job is going to be a hard position to pass up and the Panthers should start planning accordingly.
Cleveland’s defense is an elite-caliber unit led by the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in Myles Garrett and the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year in Carson Schwesinger. Not to mention a talented secondary that includes Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell.
After hiring Todd Monken as their next head coach, Browns veteran defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz opted to explore other opportunities. Based on these first two requests, it seems like Monken is looking for a young and hungry coach to lead his defense.