Atlanta Falcons interview Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero for head coaching job

The Atlanta Falcons announced on Sunday that the team has completed an interview with Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. The Falcons began their hunt for their new head coach on Sunday after firing Arthur Smith following his third season with a 7-10 record.

Though the Panthers notched just two wins and allowed 24.5 points per game, under Evero, the defense allowed 293.9 total yards per game this season, good for fourth in the league. Evero has coached in Carolina for just one season. He joined the team after serving as the Broncos defensive coordinator in 2022. He’s also worked for the Rams, Packers, 49ers and the Buccaneers on his way up the ladder.

Evero is also a candidate to take the top job in Carolina following the firing of Frank Reich after 11 games during the season. He completed an interview with the Panthers last week. However, the team could also try to hold on to the defensive coordinator for their next head coach. The lead candidate for that job is reportedly Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.

Reports have also linked the Falcons to interviews with Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, along with Raheem Morris and Aaron Glenn. Morris is the defensive coordinator for the Rams, while Glenn is DC for the Lions. In addition, the NFL Network said the Falcons also want to interview Anthony Weaver, the Ravens associate head coach.

Atlanta Falcons likely to take ‘big swing’ for Bill Belichick

The Atlanta Falcons are likely at the top of the list of interested parties for former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. Schefter cited team owner Arthur Blank’s history of taking big swings for other hall-of-fame-type coaches, such as Bill Parcells.

“If we think of Arthur Blank in his later years, desperately wanting to win while he can. There aren’t many coaches that have swung harder. He has taken some big swings at other high-profile head coaches in the past,” Schefter shared on Thursday morning. “Blank once pursued, but didn’t land, Joe Gibbs. He once pursued, but didn’t land, Bill Parcells. Now the Falcons have a head coach opening, and Bill Belichick is a free agent.”

If the three-time Coach of the Year does, in fact, want to continue to coach as the head of a franchise, there’s currently no shortage of options. The Falcons, Chargers, Panthers, Seahawks, Titans, Commanders and Raiders are all moving on to new head coaches this offseason.

Rich Eisen is encouraging the Commanders to go after Belichick this week. The Commanders would certainly become a team of national interest with Belichick leading the charge.

“Let him go against Dallas twice a year, on Thanksgiving once in a while, let him go into Philadelphia, and try and bring the Commanders back to prominence in late windows on Fox as much as possible,” Eisen said on his show. “If you’re the league, I think that’s where you would pinpoint his location.”