Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero certainly knows what he’s getting into when it comes to facing 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 availability on Thursday morning. He was asked about facing Mahomes in Carolina’s upcoming Week 12 matchup against the defending champs.
“He is, obviously, a great player. One of the best players in our league,” Evero replied. “In terms of throwing the ball, keeping plays alive, playing off-schedule—he can do everything. He’s intelligent, he sees the field and there’s really no weakness to his game. So, yeah, it’s gonna be a tremendous challenge for us and we all understand that.”
Evero probably understood that rather clearly in 2022, when he matched up against Mahomes and the Chiefs on two occasions as the Denver Broncos defensive coordinator. Kansas City came out with wins in both contests, with Mahomes passing for a combined 680 yards and six touchdowns.
“We certainly gave up some explosive plays—which we would like to have back, which I would like to have back,” Evero recalled of those AFC West tilts. “But I do think it’s important that [we] try to get pressure on him, try to keep the pocket dirty around him—that’s gonna be really, really important. And so our front guys understand that they’re gonna play a big, big role in this game.”
Some of those guys played a big, big role in the Panthers’ last game—a 20-17 overtime win over the New York Giants in Week 10. Chief among the group was veteran defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson, who recorded a sack and a forced fumble.
But, uh, we’re thinking this one will be a tad tougher for Evero, Robinson and the rest of the Carolina defense, no?
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