Should the Panthers and DC Ejiro Evero be featuring their young defenders more often?

Stubbornness can only take you so far. And the Carolina Panthers defense, at least to start this fresh campaign, doesn't seem like it's gotten much of anywhere following their historically bad performance in 2024.

Sunday's disappointing 26-10 defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars, much like many of their losses last season, highlighted the frustrating faults of the team's defense. The unit relinquished a whopping 200 rushing yards while mustering up one of the lowest pressure rates (three percent) of Week 1.

Carolina, far too often, appeared outmatched and overpowered—even by an offense led by a first-year head coach with questions of their own. They failed to pick up key stops, struggled to wrap up ball carriers and allowed the Jaguars to control the pace of the game.

Much of the criticism, once again, has fallen into the lap of defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero—and particularly for his preference of rolling out his more experienced players. That deployment, obviously, hasn't worked very well, with safety Nick Scott being the latest veteran to draw the ire of fans.

As Scott struggled throughout the afternoon, youngsters Lathan Ransom and Demani Richardson waited in the wings. Ransom, a fourth-round pick from the 2025 draft, played just nine defensive snaps while Richardson appeared only on special teams.

The same, to a lesser degree, could be said about the outside linebacker position. Vets D.J. Wonnum and Pat Jones II saw 48 and 41 defensive snaps, respectively, while Day 2 selections Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen received a combined 26.

During Monday's clean-up presser, head coach Dave Canales was asked about the personnel—and actually left behind an interesting nugget to reporters. Canales, in what was perhaps the most public challenge to Evero yet, stated that he's been "pushing" for his defensive staff to play their younger guys.

So, it might be time for Evero to lighten up off his philosophy in this regard. Maybe it's time to align with the organization's hopes for player development, which has been preached by Canales and general manager Dan Morgan countless times this offseason.

Will those rookies make mistakes? Of course, and that is a part of the learning aspect for these players. (That would, by the way, be much better than seeing a veteran do the same.)

With Evero's seat hotter than it's ever been, the time for the youth movement is now or never. They have to see what their investments can bring to the table, for better or for worse.

Your move, Coach.

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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers DC Ejiro Evero should embrace the team's youth movement