Barry’s Potential Replacement Could Be on Panthers’ Sideline Sunday
GREEN BAY, Wis. – If Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur is looking to replace defensive coordinator Joe Barry at the end of the season, the man at the top of his list could be on the sideline on Sunday at Carolina.
That would be Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.
One of the rising stars of the profession, Evero was hired by new coach Frank Reich this past offseason. But Reich was fired last month, and when the Panthers start their search for his full-time replacement at the end of the season, Evero figures to be a candidate. Maybe even a top candidate. If he doesn’t get the job, he will be one of the top possibilities for every defensive coordinator job that’s available.
Having coached with the Los Angeles Rams alongside Barry, Evero would provide a new voice and fresh ideas to a familiar defensive scheme. That would allow the Packers to mostly hit the ground running in 2024 rather than starting from scratch, which LaFleur might find appealing, especially if he’s seeking a more aggressive approach than what Barry has presented.
“You’ve got to affect the quarterback,” Evero said upon joining the Broncos in 2022. “If you can’t get there with four, you’ve got to bring five, and if you can’t get there with five you’ve got to bring six. That’s my philosophy.”
Evero played safety at UC Davis and competed for a roster spot with the Raiders in 2004. His first coaching job was at his alma mater; his first NFL opportunity was as a defensive quality-control coach for the Buccaneers from 2007 through 2009.
In 2016, he joined then-defensive coordinator Dom Capers’ staff in Green Bay as a quality-control coach. In 2017, the Rams hired Sean McVay as coach; McVay hired LaFleur as offensive coordinator, Barry as linebackers coach and Evero as safeties coach.
After the 2020 season, LaFleur was looking for a defensive coordinator. He found one with the Rams. Barry. Meanwhile, McVay promoted Evero to secondary coach and defensive passing game coordinator. The Rams won the Super Bowl.
In 2022, the Denver Broncos hired Nathaniel Hackett as head coach and Hackett hired Evero as defensive coordinator. Hackett lasted less than one season with Denver and Evero joined Reich’s new staff with Carolina. As was the case with Hackett, Reich lasted less than one year.
The Panthers are 2-12 entering their Christmas Eve home game against Green Bay, but not because of Evero’s defense. By the numbers, it’s one of the best in the NFL.
“Teams are always going to reflect the head coach and the coordinator's personality,” Capers told Panthers.com. “And it’s such an up-and-down business; the more consistent you are in your approach with them, they appreciate it. When he stands in front of the room, he’s direct, he’s to the point, and it’s in a way that players can relate to.
“As he presents, they see this is how things fit into our game plan; this is what we see as coaches, and they appreciate that.”
In Green Bay, Barry has been unable to put together a consistently strong defense, even though this year’s roster that includes eight first-round picks and a pair of highly-paid veteran acquisitions. Carolina’s starting defense includes three first-round picks, three second-round picks and five undrafted free agents.
While the Panthers are 29th in points, that’s largely the fault of an impotent offense. Beyond the scoreboard, the numbers this season show a clear advantage:
Yards per play: Carolina, eighth; Green Bay, 24th.
Rushing per play: Carolina, 11th; Green Bay, 28th.
Passing per play: Carolina: 10th; Green Bay, 23rd.
Third down: Carolina, seventh; Green Bay, 25th.
That’s up from, in order, 16th, 12th, 20th and 23rd.
With Evero in 2022, Denver ranked 14th in points per game, sixth in yards per play, 11th in rushing per play and fourth in passing per play. In 2023, the Broncos have sunk to 30th in scoring, 30th in yards per play, 32nd in rushing per play and 26th in passing per play.
“I always want to have the mindset that it all starts with the players,” he told Panthers.com. “We're not just going to go out there and just do stuff because that's what I've learned. That's the past. There's got to be a purpose behind it. And the purpose is your players. What did they do?
“I always tell the guys this is not my defense. This is our defense. And it's the 2023 Carolina Panthers defense. We're all collaborating to build his defense. I don't want this to be about me; it's about us and us doing this thing together.”
