CHARLOTTE -- Eric Washington, who has coached Carolina’s defensive line since 2011, has been promoted to defensive coordinator. Washington takes over for Steve Wilks, who was named head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.
With Carolina, Washington has led one of the most productive defensive lines in the NFL. Since 2012, no group of defensive linemen produced more sacks than Carolina's 219.0, part of Carolina’s NFL-leading 280 total sacks. Carolina finished in the top 10 in sacks in five of the past six seasons, including a No. 1 ranking in 2013, a No. 2 ranking in 2016 and a No.