Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero certainly knows what he's getting into when it comes to facing off against Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
The two-time NFL Most Valuable Player and three-time Super Bowl champion was a hot topic of discussion during Evero's media release Thursday morning. He was asked if he would play in Carolina's upcoming game against Mahomes against the defending champions.
“He’s obviously a great player. One of the best players in our league,” Evero replied. “In terms of throwing the ball, keeping the game going, playing off schedule – he can do it all. He is intelligent, he sees the field and there are really no weaknesses in his game. So, yes, it will be a huge challenge for us and we all understand that.”
Evero probably understood that pretty clearly in 2022, when he faced Mahomes and the Chiefs twice as the Denver Broncos' defensive coordinator. Kansas City emerged victorious in both contests, with Mahomes totaling 680 yards and six touchdowns.
“We definitely gave up some explosive plays – that we would like to have again, that I would like to have again,” Evero recalled of those AFC West encounters. “But I think this is important [we] Try to put pressure on him, try to keep the bag dirty around him – that's going to be really, really important. And that’s why our front guys understand that they’re going to play a big, big role in this game.”
Some of these guys played a big role in the Panthers' last game – a over the New York Giants in Week 10. The leader of the group was veteran defensive lineman A'Shawn Robinson, who recorded a sack and a forced fumble.
But we think it's going to be a little more difficult for Evero, Robinson and the rest of the Carolina defense, right?
