The Carolina Panthers have already made a major change to their defense this season, firing defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and replacing him with Todd Wash after a disappointing start.
But according to veteran cornerback Mike Jackson Sr., the Panthers are officially out of excuses.
"We changed the defense; now it's on the players," Jackson said.
Mike Jackson Sr. challenges Carolina Panthers teammates to prove Ejiro Evero was the problem
And Jackson has a point.
Carolina already fired its defensive coordinator, changed its approach, and attempted to address the issues that plagued the unit under Evero. If the defense continues struggling, the players will have a much harder time pointing to the coaching staff.
Jackson's comments come less than two weeks after the Panthers fired Evero and defensive pass-game coordinator Jonathon Cooley. They handed over the role to Wash on an interim basis, but something had to be done.
The move was supposed to give the struggling defense a jolt and bring in a more aggressive style of play from Wash. He encourages his players to play fast and instinctively. Jackson seems to be embracing this.
"Go play ball because if we don't play ball, then it's on us because now we gone and changed the defense, so you can't say it's the defense no more, it's on the players," Jackson said.
This is interesting to hear from Jackson given how well he did under Evero.
Mike Jackson Sr. is nearing a return, and he doesn't want to waste it
Throughout the 2024 and 2025 seasons, Jackson has picked up six interceptions and 36 pass breakups, making him one of Carolina's most productive defensive backs.
He has a lot to thank Evero for, but understands that changing coordinators will only do so much if players keep making mistakes.
Interestingly, Jackson's comments come as he nears a return from a major injury.
Jackson had surgery for a groin complication he suffered earlier this season and hasn't played since Week 3. However, the Panthers announced he had entered his 21-day practice window, meaning he returned to practice for the first time in almost seven weeks.
While it is unlikely Jackson will play against the New Orleans Saints after being listed as doubtful, the fact that he is getting closer represents a significant boost to a secondary still without the services of Jaycee Horn.
Of course, just one player coming back won't solve everything. Carolina needs to improve their tackling and cut down on costly penalties, among plenty of other things.
The Panthers have made the biggest change they could to their coaching staff. Now, with a divisional game against New Orleans coming up, Jackson has challenged his teammates to prove that firing Evero has made them better.
If they continue to struggle, though, Jackson has made it clear who to blame.
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