The Carolina Panthers are building something special

On Sunday, the Carolina Panthers hired Ejiro Evero as their next defensive coordinator, and are certainly building something special.  Already, the Panthers look like a surprise breakout team in 2023.  They got their head coaching hire right when they named Frank Reich to take over for Matt Rhule.

On Sunday, they agreed to terms with Ejiro Evero to be the team’s next defensive coordinator.  Evero broke out in his first year as a DC with the Denver Broncos, and the Broncos released him from his contract, which allowed him to take this position.

Getting the coaching staff right is the most important thing a team can do.  We’ve seen just how valuable good coaching can be.  Take a look at the 2022 New York Giants, who fielded a below-average roster, but because of strong coaching led by Brian Daboll, won a playoff game.

The same idea can be applied to literally any team who has strong coaching.  In fact, I think we’ll see a similar jump from the Denver Broncos as they go from Nathaniel Hackett to Sean Payton.

The next order of business for the Carolina Panthers should be to figure out a quarterback situation for the long-term future.  They hold the ninth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, which they may have to use in a package to trade up to get their guy, as it’s unlikely a top prospect falls that far down the board.

Seeing as Frank Reich has experience working with veteran quarterbacks and developing young ones, the Panthers have a wide range of options.

Could the team be in play for a veteran bridge like Derek Carr or Jimmy Garoppolo?  Possibly.  They could also go all-in and draft a quarterback with their top pick and hope they show competence as a rookie.

The point is that the Carolina Panthers have made a couple of very strong moves lately and seem to be trending upwards.