The Cleveland Browns are set to hire San Francisco 49ers defensive backs coach Joe Woods as their next defensive coordinator.
This was the assumption for quite some time, but now it can be official. The Cleveland Browns are set to hire San Francisco 49ers defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator Joe Woods as their next defensive coordinator. Woods is just the latest addition to the staff of Kevin Stefanski.
There was a time that it did not appear to be a lock that Joe Woods would end up in Cleveland. It was not that long ago that the 49ers were going to make a push to keep Woods in San Francisco. Apparently their efforts were all for naught as Woods is coming to Cleveland.
Joe Woods may not be the most popular person among Browns fans this morning. Woods was part of the defensive coaching staff that let the Chiefs comeback and win the Super Bowl. Patrick Mahomes struggled early on, but led Kansas City to 21 straight points and their eventual victory. Woods was in charge of the defensive backs and passing game, but Robert Saleh is the 49ers defensive coordinator. Saleh deserves his own fair share of the blame as well. So does Kyle Shanahan. Blame for their loss goes all around, just not to one specific individual.
What happened in the Super Bowl should not impact the Browns decision to hire Joe Woods. It is best not to let recency bias impact the opinion of Woods. Consider his overall body of work not just one particular game, even if it was the biggest game of the season.
Joe Woods will put his particular imprint on the defense and that may or may not work out. Kevin Stefanski has his defensive coordinator, let’s just hope he aligns with their vision.
