Jeff Howard leaves Browns for Chargers; Matt Burke interview blocked

There’s been little movement with regards to the Browns coaching staff since the season ended. That is, except for the change in defensive coordinator.

That changed on Friday when reports emerged that the Browns’ defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator Jeff Howard is leaving Cleveland for the Los Angeles Chargers. ESPN’s Jake Trotter was the first to report the move.

Howard will coach the Chargers’ inside linebackers. He last coached linebackers as a defensive assistant with the Minnesota Vikings from 2015-18, part of a seven-year stint as a defensive assistant with the franchise from 2013-19.

The Browns’ pass defense ranked fifth each of the last two seasons, allowing 196.2 passing yards in 2022 after giving up 202.3 yards in 2021. In 2020, when the Browns went to the playoffs in head coach Kevin Stefanski’s first season, they were ranked 22nd in pass defense at 247.6 yards per game.

Howard’s departure is the only major move to occur on the Browns’ staff since defensive coordinator Joe Woods was fired hours after the season finale and Jim Schwartz was hired a week-and-a-half later.

When Schwartz was hired, there were expectations of some staff changes on that side of the ball. One name which was tied to him, on Friday, reportedly will be hired instead as the Houston Texans’ defensive coordinator.

Former Arizona Cardinals defensive line coach Mike Burke, according to multiple reports, will be joining DeMeco Ryan’s staff in Houston. MMQB’s Albert Breer reported Friday the Cardinals had blocked the Browns’ request to interview Burke, ostensibly to be the defensive line coach in Cleveland.