Panthers DC Ejiro Evero already likes what he sees from revamped defense

Carolina's operation was subpar in 2023, but their defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero remains -- and he likes what he's seeing in 2024.

It helps that a number of players with past ties to Evero are now in Charlotte: Linebacker Josey Jewell once peaked under Evero in Denver, while a couple of experienced Rams transplants (defensive lineman A'Shawn Robinson and safety Jordan Fuller) have made the move east. Add in Jadeveon Clowney, Dane Jackson and D.J. Wonnum, and the Panthers will roll out a new-look defense filled with players who made impacts elsewhere.

That type of turnover could elicit much-needed improvements. So far, Evero is sensing a culture shift that could produce a jump this fall.

"The one thing I will say is that I'm really, really, really excited about the group of guys that we have right now," Evero said Thursday, via the team's official site. "These first four days have just been really exciting and we know that we've got a lot of good football players, talented football players, but also just the football dialogue.

"I feel like the football dialogue that we have right now is at such a high level from all the different position rooms when we get together collectively, so it's exciting for me."

Oftentimes, swapping out past members of a struggling unit for role players who found important fits with better clubs ends up being a wise set of moves. Carolina wasn't necessarily in need of major change, though, considering Evero oversaw a group that finished fourth in total defense -- but 29th in scoring defense.

These moves were more about experience gained under Evero in better environments -- and the hope they'll instill a stronger culture in Carolina.

"I wouldn't say better equipped, but I feel so much better about