The Cleveland Browns fired Joe Woods on Black Monday. On this episode of The Locked On Browns Podcast we discuss 5 possible candidates to replace Joe Woods as the Browns defensive coordinators we're considering. As the Browns prepare for their next season, it's important to keep an eye on the defensive coordinator position. With Joe Woods now fired, it's time for the team to look for a new coordinator. In this video, we're discussing 5 possible candidates to replace Joe Woods as the Browns defensive coordinator. Stay tuned for more updates!

1. EJIRO EVERO – DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR, DENVER BRONCOS

Evero is already a Defensive Coordinator with the Denver Broncos, but it looks like Head Coach Nathanial Hackett is unlikely to see a second season. This would leave Evero looking for a job unless the Broncos hire him as their next Head Coach. Evero has been one of the only bright spots in Denver this year, heading up the 4th ranked defense in DVOA. Evero is widely regarded as a rising star in the NFL at 41-years-old.

2. MIKE ZIMMER - CONSULTANT, JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY

Mike Zimmer was Head Coach of the Minnesota Vikings from 2014-2021; Stefanski was on his staff for six seasons. In 2018, Stefanski was promoted to interim Offensive Coordinator and later named the full-time Offensive Coordinator. Zimmer is 66 years old and served as a consultant for one of his favorite former players, Deion Sanders, at Jackson State University this season.

3. JIM SCHWARTZ - SENIOR DEFENSIVE ASSISTANT, TENNESSEE TITANS

Jim Schwartz is now in his 12th season with the Titans and his 29th in the NFL. After eight years on the staff as a defensive coordinator (1999-2008), he returned to the team in 2021 as a senior defensive assistant. Schwartz has been a defensive coordinator in the NFL for 14 years and was a head coach for the Detroit Lions for four years (2009-13). In addition, Schwartz worked for the Philadelphia Eagles as their defensive coordinator from 2016 until 2020, helping them win a Super Bowl in 2017.

4. ERIC WASHINGTON – SENIOR DEFENSIVE ASSISTANT/DEFENSIVE LINE, BUFFALO BILLS

Eric Washington joined the Bills in 2020 as the team's defensive line coach and was promoted to senior defensive assistant/defensive line coach before the start of the 2022 season. In Washington's first season with the Bills, they went to the AFC Championship game, and in his second season, he helped lead a defense that ranked first in the NFL in the fewest points allowed per game (17.0) for the first time in franchise history. In 2018, Washington led the Panthers' defense from 28th to 12th in interceptions, 32nd to 13th in passes defended, and 18th to 9th in tackles for loss. Washington reunited with McDermott in Buffalo after Rivera was fired from the Panthers.

5. JIM LEONHARD - INTERIM HEAD COACH, UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN

Jim Leonhard is one of the top defensive minds in the college game. He went 4-3 as the interim Head Coach of the Wisconsin Badgers, replacing Paul Chryst halfway through the season. Still, Wisconsin has elected to hire Luke Fickell as their new head coach. Over the last five seasons running the Badger defense, he led them to top five in total defense five times and top 10 in scoring defense four times.

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