At the onset of this year’s hiring cycle, the Panthers blocked Ejiro Evero from exploring other defensive coordinator openings as he was still a head coaching candidate in Carolina. That remains the case.

Evero is set to interview with the Panthers for a second time on Monday, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports. Carolina spoke with him earlier this month about the team’s HC vacancy, but he has also garnered outside interest. The Jaguars attempted to interview him for their DC position, but he was blocked from doing so. Evero has once again found himself on the head coaching radar, however.

The 43-year-old impressed in his one-and-done year with the Broncos in 2022. That season marked his first stint as a coordinator after he worked his way through the ranks with four different NFL teams. Evero’s pro coaching career began in 2007, and he has established himself as one of the league’s top defensive staffers. He interviewed for each head coaching vacancy last offseason before joining the Panthers.

Carolina’s staff – led by head coach Frank Reich – initially drew praise for the assistants it included. Things did not go according to plan, however, and Reich was among the coaches fired after just 11 games. Issues on offense were a major storyline throughout the season, but Evero and the defense held up well against the pass in particular. Carolina ranked third in yards allowed through the air and fourth in total defense, though struggles against the run and a lack of sacks and takeaways hurt the unit.

Nevertheless, Evero has interviewed with the Falcons during the 2024 hiring cycle, and he is firmly on the Seahawks’ radar. Seattle is eyeing a second interview with Evero (among others) in the coming days. If the Panthers – a team which has been linked more closely with Lions OC Ben Johnson than with any other candidate so far, and is believed to prefer a coach with an offensive background – wish to promote Evero, they could therefore face competition for his services.

Here is an updated look at Carolina’s search:

• Brian Callahan, offensive coordinator (Bengals): Second interview on tap
• Dave Canales, offensive coordinator (Buccaneers): Interviewed 1/18
• Ejiro Evero, defensive coordinator (Panthers): Interviewed 1/11; to conduct second interview 1/22
• Ben Johnson, offensive coordinator (Lions): Conducted interview 1/19; top target?
• Brian Johnson, offensive coordinator (Eagles): Interview requested
• Mike Macdonald, defensive coordinator (Ravens): Interviewed 1/11
• Todd Monken, offensive coordinator (Ravens): Interviewed 1/11
• Raheem Morris, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/17
• Dan Quinn, defensive coordinator (Cowboys): Interviewed 1/17
• Bobby Slowik, offensive coordinator (Texans): Interviewed 1/18
• Frank Smith, offensive coordinator (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/16
• Chris Tabor, interim head coach (Panthers): Interviewed 1/10