Browns fire DC Joe Woods after 3 seasons

The Cleveland Browns fired defensive coordinator Joe Woods following the conclusion of his third season with the team.

The Browns have requested to interview New England Patriots inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo to fill the position, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. They've also requested to interview Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers coach Brian Flores, per Schefter.

The list doesn't stop there, as they have also requested to interview Seattle Seahawks defensive assistant Sean Desai, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

The firing comes one day after the Browns lost their season finale to the Pittsburgh Steelers and ended the campaign with a 7-10 record. The Browns finished 20th in points per game allowed this season.

Woods has been the defensive coordinator for the Browns since 2020. Kevin Stefanski brought him aboard when he was hired as Cleveland's head coach.

Since making the playoffs in their first season together, Stefanski and Woods have gone 15-19 and struggled to maximize the talent on the defensive side of the ball. The Browns' run defense finished 25th in yards allowed per game this season.