With Devin Lloyd, Bobby Okereke, Panthers employ NFL's top ILB duo originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
On the first snap from scrimmage last Sunday, Carolina Panthers inside linebacker Bobby Okereke wasted little time before creating his initial wave of chaos at Lincoln Financial Field.
Before Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee could settle into his third NFL start, Okereke avoided the proposed protection and sacked the third-year backup for an 11-yard loss.
On second-and-21, McKee's first pass attempt bounced off Okereke's hands, landing incomplete, contributing to the Eagles' eventual three-and-out series.
Winners of two straight, the Panthers' recent rise can be directly attributed to the play of their inside linebackers.
A late addition to the roster, Okereke's presence, along with top free-agent signee Devin Lloyd, provides Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero with an element his base 3-4 alignment mostly missed during the past three-plus seasons: top-ranked inside linebacker play.
Despite a slow start, Lloyd and Okereke entered Week 7 as the league's top-rated inside linebackers in coverage, according to Pro Football Focus.
"We're certainly happy with the performance of Devin and Bobby," Evero said during Thursday's teleconference. "They're just football junkies.
"Smart guys ... tough guys ... playmakers."
Who are serving as defensive saviors – or superheroes.
“If I’m Black Panther, maybe he’s freakin Green Lantern or something ... Captain America,” Okereke told FOX Sports Radio1340.
Panthers' Devin Lloyd, Bobby Okereke solving defensive void
Since assuming control of the Panthers' defense in 2023, Evero consistently shuffled the starting inside linebackers, searching for the right combination. In his first season, the outmanned Panthers finished 2-15. During his second season, the injury-plagued unit, which competed with fourth- and fifth-string players during the final few weeks, surrendered an all-time league-worst 534 points.
A one-time head coach prospect, Evero's candidacy obviously took a hit.
Last season, the Panthers' defense rebounded enough for the franchise to claim its first NFC South title since 2015, despite finishing 8-9.
Evero could work his way back into consideration for a top coaching gig if Lloyd and Okereke continue to spark a resurgent unit. Entering Sunday's division matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-5) at Bank of America Stadium, Lloyd leads the team with 24 tackles, followed by Okereke's 21.
Lloyd (93.3) also earned the league's highest coverage grade among 75 qualified linebackers, according to Pro Football Focus, followed immediately by Okereke's 89.9.
"The defense again put it together," said Canales, alluding to the Panthers (3-2) limiting their past two opponents to under 50 yards rushing.
MORE: Panthers LB blasted by analyst after 'rough' debut in blowout loss
During a Week 1 rout, the Chicago Bears ran over and through the Panthers' defense, compiling 291 rushing yards. Lloyd, who signed a three-year, $42 million deal last offseason, debuted with a 31.9 overall grade, despite 13 total tackles, per PFF.
Over the past four starts, however, the fifth-year veteran continues to thrive in Evero's scheme, generating two sacks among 10 pressures. His 83.7 grade on pass rushes ranks second among linebackers. His Week 2 outing against the Atlanta Falcons featured nine tackles (seven solo), two interceptions, including a pick-six, one sack and one stuff.
Sparked by Lloyd and Okereke, the Panthers' defense has yielded just 16 points per game since Week 2, which ranks second during that span.
"I think it's just improvement on the fundamentals and techniques," Evero said. "Each week they're gaining a better understanding of the system. We certainly had to adjust some things."
Adding Lloyd and Okereke helped.
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