Stats Show Panthers Have Serious Ejiro Evero Problem

The Carolina Panthers dropped a tough game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the weekend, with the team being dominated throughout.

Carolina couldn't get anything going against Tampa Bay on either side of the ball, leading to the blowout loss. Despite the game being played at home and the Buccaneers dealing with all sorts of injuries, the Panthers couldn't get a win over their NFC South rivals.

The loss to Tampa Bay now has the Panthers sitting with a record of 3-3 on the season, barely clinging to first place in the division. Carolina is going to have to go back to the drawing board moving forward, pushing this blowout loss out of their minds.

But as the team looks ahead, there is a real problem that the Panthers have to deal with this year. Carolina's offense, other than against the Buccaneers, has helped carry this team, giving them more of a chance to win games.

However, the defense has been a real problem, and the issues came back up on Sunday against Tampa Bay. Despite the front office investing heavily in the Panthers' defensive unit this offseason, the unit has struggled to find its footing.

And going back to when Ejiro Evero became the Panthers’ defensive coordinator in 2023, the team is the only squad in the league to have a negative expected points added in rush defense, coming in at minus-2.30. 

For a team like the Panthers, this won't get the job done, and it's a glaring problem for the franchise to have. Carolina is going to have to fix its run defense going forward; otherwise, the season could spiral out of control the rest of the way.

Head coach Dave Canales has defended the schemes that Evero has used, saying that the players just didn't execute. But at some point, something will have to give, and the Panthers may have to make some tough decisions.

Evero could be on the hot seat very soon if things don't change for the Panthers defense. Carolina wants to get back to the playoffs, but the defensive performance this year could complicate that quest.

Next up for the Panthers will be a tough game on the road against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football. Like Carolina, Green Bay is coming off a brutal loss this past week, giving each side a chance to get back on track.

Kickoff for the Panthers and Packers is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. PT/8:15 p.m. ET from historic Lambeau Field in Green Bay.