The title of most unpopular sports figure in the city of Charlotte right now belongs to Carolina Panthers Defensive Coordinator Ejiro Evero.
It is easy to understand why when the defense he coordinates allowed the Chicago Bears to have a record setting day at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday.
The Panthers defense allowed a franchise record 59 points in addition to:
552 total yards
291 rushing yards
Six rushing touchdowns.
10-of-14 3rd down conversions
Evero has been the subject of Panthers fans’ ire for a few years. He coordinated one of the worst defenses of all-time in 2024. Dan Morgan took the blame for that and has invested heavily into the defense via free agency.
While there were improvements in 2025, Sunday was a horrific start.
The Panthers were sloppy and undisciplined.
While blame certainly lies with Evero, he wasn’t on the field missing tackles.
Two notable gaffes in the game came courtesy of Derrick Brown, one of the team’s captains.
Brown’s roughing the passer penalty on 2nd down eliminated a potential third and long and Chicago scored three plays later. Then, he lined up offsides which negated an interception later on.
Brown took accountability afterwards but those were examples of the types of plays that doomed the Panthers throughout the day.
We know the Bears are talented on offense and they made a number of incredible plays.
If the Panthers allow the Falcons and Browns to put up similar numbers in the coming weeks, serious questions will need to be asked inside the organization regarding Evero.
Other thoughts
I thought the offense was good on Sunday, starting with Bryce Young and Jalen Coker. You should win many games when you put up 37 points. Now, can Young put together a similar performance on Sunday or will his inconsistency pop up?
No catches on two targets for Xavier Legette, including a drop on 1st and 10 in the first quarter. I’m not sure how much longer the Panthers will continue to trot him out on the field.
Will Jimmy Horn get another shot at being the punt returner next week in Atlanta? Horn muffed one punt that gave Chicago three points and nearly fumbled another on a return.
FOOD AND PANTHERS PARKER PARLAY RECAP
The news wasn’t all bad on Sunday as the Jalen Coker-centric Panthers Parker Parlay hit!
In terms of the food, the wings came out alright. They were a tad smaller and I should’ve taken them out a bit sooner. They were still good, but improvements can be made!
The Grumpy Old Man Rant of the Week
My wife likes to refer to me as her “grumpy old man” from time to time. The reason for this comes down with how easily annoyed I become with the dumbassery that surrounds us all on a daily basis.
I’m pretty even keeled now compared to how eccentric I was as a youth, but I still have my moments.
So, why not make it a section in my weekly recap?
My wife and I love Las Vegas and it is a trip we annually make.
Airports provide a great people watching opportunity - or to piss you off for a variety of reasons.
This week’s Grumpy Old Man Rant of the Week comes courtesy of Charlotte Douglas International Airport. As we we departing the Admirals Club Lounge, a lady and her two kids were ahead of us walking at a pace that would make a tortoise put up a side eye and say “damn, she’s slower than me!”
As they got to the exit, the lady decided to stop to look at her phone. Three people in a linear line blocking the exit, oblivious to everything around them.
The lady just sat there, wouldn’t move. We ended up squeezing by them as if we were running backs hitting the slightest opening.
Get off your damn phones and keep your heads up.
Don’t stop, please move forward!