The Las Vegas Raiders may be zeroing in on a top contender for their head coaching vacancy - and all signs are pointing toward Ejiro Evero gaining serious traction in the process.
Evero, currently serving as the Carolina Panthers' defensive coordinator, is set to meet with the Raiders for a second interview - this time in person. That’s a notable development, especially in a coaching cycle where second interviews often signal a candidate moving into the finalist conversation.
The first meeting between Evero and the Raiders took place virtually, but now the organization is bringing him to South Florida for a face-to-face session. That’s not something teams do lightly.
According to reports, Evero’s calendar is filling up. He’s also scheduled to interview with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he’s already drawn interest from the Atlanta Falcons. That makes three teams in this cycle alone that see head-coaching potential in the 43-year-old defensive strategist.
This isn’t Evero’s first run at a coordinator gig. He spent the 2022 season as the defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos before moving to Carolina in 2023.
While his first season with the Panthers was rocky - the defense struggled to find its footing - things took a turn in 2025. Carolina made a concerted effort to upgrade its defensive personnel last offseason, and the results followed.
Evero’s unit showed marked improvement, and that rebound hasn’t gone unnoticed across the league.
What stands out about Evero is the respect he commands among his peers. Despite the ups and downs, he’s consistently viewed as one of the sharper defensive minds in football. He brings a modern approach to defensive schemes, and his ability to adapt - especially in a league that’s constantly evolving - is part of what makes him such a compelling candidate.
For the Raiders, this second interview is more than just a formality. It’s a clear indication that Evero is firmly in the mix - perhaps even emerging as a frontrunner. With Las Vegas conducting a wide-ranging search that includes multiple interviews and requests, narrowing the field to someone like Evero suggests they’re looking for a coach who can bring both leadership and a clear identity to the team, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.
As the Raiders continue to evaluate their options, Evero’s name is one to watch closely. He’s not just getting interviews - he’s getting callbacks. And in the NFL’s coaching carousel, that’s often where the real momentum starts.