Ejiro Evero played for the Los Angeles Rams for five seasons. He served as the safeties coach from 2017 to 20 before getting elevated to secondary coach and coordinator of the passing game for the 2021 NFL season. The Rams’ eventual Super Bowl victory in 2021 was largely attributed to their outstanding secondary play.
Evero was promptly hired by the Denver Broncos to serve as their defensive coordinator. In 2023, the Carolina Panthers signed him to fill the same position.
The Panthers allowed the fourth-fewest yards per game and the third-fewest passing yards per game, even though they ended with the poorest record in football. In particular, the defense improved near the conclusion of the season, and it would be difficult to attribute any of Carolina’s 2023 difficulties to the defense.
So when the offseason got underway, Evero was once again a sought-after player. For a moment, there was smoke regarding a prospective reunion with the Rams, as Raheem Morris’ departure to the Atlanta Falcons left up the defensive coordinator position in L.A.. But it looks like Evero is sticking with the Panthers, as Joe Person of The Athletic reports:
For Sean McVay and the Rams, who are currently searching around for a defensive coordinator, Evero’s return would have been a huge addition. But Evero’s decision to remain in Carolina is a major plus for the Panthers, who are rebuilding.
He is not only well-liked throughout the league and has a track record of strengthening defenses, but an organization such as the Panthers may greatly profit from having some stability at the top of the hierarchy.
Now that they must search elsewhere for a defensive coordinator, the Rams have already interviewed a number of deserving internal and external prospects.
Ron Rivera was interviewed to be the defensive coordinator for the Rams.
For their defensive coordinator vacancy, the Rams interviewed Ron Rivera, the head coach of the defunct Washington Commanders, who seemed like an interesting possibility.
After serving as the Panthers’ head coach for nine years, from 2011 to 2019, Rivera was the Commanders’ coach from 2020 to 2023. Before that, Rivera served as the defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears from 2004 to 2006 and the San Diego Chargers from 2008 to 2010.
Due to his prior interview for the position of defensive coordinator with the Philadelphia Eagles before Vic Fangio was hired, Rivera has gained popularity this summer.
Since Dan Quinn took over as head coach in Washington, Rivera has also been linked to the Dallas Cowboys for the role of defensive coordinator.
