CHARLOTTE, N.C. — After a season in which the defense improved from the league’s worst to the middle of the pack statistically, Carolina Panthers coach Dave Canales reiterated his faith in Ejiro Evero, saying he “absolutely” would remain in his role as defensive coordinator.

Evero’s future was in question after the 2024 season, when the Panthers ranked 32nd in total defense, points allowed and rushing defense, and became only the fourth team in NFL history to allow 3,000 rushing yards in a season.

With defensive tackle Derrick Brown back after missing the final 16 games in 2024, the Panthers jumped up this season to 16th in total defense, 15th in points allowed and 20th in rushing defense. The Panthers’ run defense improvement of 56.5 yards allowed a game was best in the league.

Canales said the Panthers extended Evero’s contract, originally set to run through 2025, before the season. The 45-year-old Evero is now signed through the end of the ’27 season, according to a source familiar with the contract.

“I have complete trust in Ejiro, love the way he’s brought this group to play quality football together. He’s got my full support,” Canales said Sunday. “Love our scheme, love what we do there. Getting our guys to play together where we execute this scheme, it’s really difficult to play against.”

The 45-year-old Evero and several of his defensive assistants were holdovers from Frank Reich’s short-lived stint as the Panthers’ coach in 2023. Evero has interviewed for several head-coaching vacancies in recent years, including Carolina’s. The Raiders and Falcons have both requested to interview him for their head-coaching vacancies, according to a league source.

Evero’s decision to play soft coverage and rush four during the Los Angeles Rams’ final drive Saturday came under scrutiny after Matthew Stafford led a game-winning, 71-yard touchdown drive in the Rams’ 34-31 victory in an NFC wild-card game.

But safety Nick Scott and cornerback Mike Jackson defended Evero’s approach in the final minutes, with Scott saying he made good calls.

“You saw last night in glimpses the style of play that we’re looking for,” Canales said. “The big hits, the tackling, the coverage on the back end, the rush at times and the pressure package and different things he was able to do to create rush, to create pressure for quarterbacks. I just love where we’re headed that way.”

Safety Tre’von Moehrig, the former Las Vegas Raider who signed during the offseason, said this was the most fun he’s had over his five NFL seasons.

“Super great guy,” Moehrig said of Evero. “I enjoyed every second of being here with this defense so far. He’s helped my game a tremendous amount, just a great leader and somebody you can talk to about whatever. First year being here, I enjoyed the hell out of it.”