The Carolina Panthers have officially moved on from defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, and the decision should serve as a wake-up call for several defensive players.
The move comes with Carolina sitting at 3-4 and still very much in the NFC South race. But after allowing 70 points over their last two games, head coach Dave Canales clearly felt something needed to change.
And while Evero ultimately took the fall, Carolina's defenders shouldn't feel particularly comfortable either.
Carolina Panthers defenders have to prove Ejiro Evero was the problem
The Panthers spent vast sums over the offseason to improve their defense, adding players like edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd while continuing to build around Pro Bowl defensive lineman Derrick Brown. Yet through seven games, Carolina ranks 27th in points allowed per game (27.6) and 30th against the run (140.7 yards per game).
Speaking to reporters on Friday, the Panthers head coach explained that his decision to move on from Evero came from wanting to get more out of the players already on the roster.
"I just want to see the guys connected," Canales said. "I want to see them excited about going out there and executing the plan, playing fast, playing physical."
Canales also made it clear that effort hasn't necessarily been the problem.
"The effort has been there. Those things are right, but I know we can make strides with being able to get everybody on the same page."
Phillips has plenty to prove once healthy. The Panthers committed $120 million to the veteran pass rusher because they believed he could help transform their defense, and they'll need that investment to start paying off.
Carolina Panthers have no excuses without Ejiro Evero to scapegoat
The same goes for Lloyd, who was brought in to strengthen Carolina's linebacker group.
Of course, none of these players can fix the defense on their own. Interim coordinator Todd Wash still needs to put them in positions to succeed, and Carolina needs to get healthier in the secondary.
But there's something to be said about a coaching staff making this kind of change while the team is still competing for a division title.
Canales could have waited until the offseason to evaluate Evero's future. Instead, he made the move with 10 games left, giving Wash an opportunity to turn things around immediately.
The Panthers will have some extra preparation time before hosting the Denver Broncos on November 8, which should give their new coordinator a chance to make adjustments.
If Carolina's defense improves under Wash, it could validate Canales' decision to move on from Evero. But if the same problems continue, the Panthers will have to take a much harder look at the personnel they've invested so heavily in.
Evero is gone. The players who struggled under him are still here.
And with Carolina's playoff hopes hanging in the balance, those players have 10 games to show they can be the defense general manager Dan Morgan and Canales thought they were building.
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