CLEVELAND — After firing Joe Woods, the Cleveland Browns find themselves in the market for a new defensive coordinator.
What follows is a list of five candidates the Browns could consider as they begin their search for a new defensive coordinator.
Brian Flores, senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach, Pittsburgh Steelers
Prior to becoming the head coach of the Miami Dolphins in 2019, Brian Flores was a longtime defensive assistant for the New England Patriots and served as the team's defensive play-caller during its Super Bowl-winning season in 2018. After being fired by the Dolphins after amassing a 24-25 record in three seasons, Flores sued the franchise, the Denver Broncos, New York Giants and the NFL, alleging racial discrimination and proceeded to spend the 2022 season as an assistant on Mike Tomlin's staff with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Considering his resume, the 41-year-old Flores will likely be one of the league's top defensive coordinator candidates and could even garner head coaching consideration. It's also worth noting that he was previously linked to Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, as the Dolphins' pursued a trade for the 3-time Pro Bowl selection when he was a member of the Houston Texans.
Jerod Mayo, inside linebackers coach, New England Patriots
According to ESPN's Kimberley Martin, in addition to Flores, another name to keep an eye on in the Browns' defensive coordinator search is New England Patriots inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo. A former Pro Bowl linebacker and the 2008 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, the 36-year-old Mayo has been a rising assistant coach since joining his former head coach, Bill Belichick's staff in 2019.
Jim Leonhard, former Wisconsin defensive coordinator
Following a 10-year career as a safety in the NFL -- the final season of which he spent in Cleveland -- Jim Leonhard returned to his alma mater, Wisconsin, to serve as the defensive backs coach in 2016. The following year, he was elevated to defensive coordinator and was ultimately considered one of the nation's top assistant coaches.
After amassing a 5-3 record in eight games as the Badgers' interim head coach in 2022, the 40-year-old parted ways with the program following the hiring of head coach Luke Fickell. While the entirety of his coaching experience has come at the college level, his rise from an undrafted free agent to a 10-year pro would give him instant credibility at the next level.
Ejiro Evero, defensive coordinator, Denver Broncos
While Ejiro Evero is already a defensive coordinator with the Denver Broncos, the team's impending head coaching search leaves his future with the franchise in doubt. Previously a rising assistant coach with the Los Angeles Rams, Evero engineered one of the league's top defenses during his first season as the coordinator in Denver, despite having an inconsistent counterpart on the offensive side of the ball.
Mike Zimmer, former Minnesota Vikings head coach
Prior to his eight-year stint as the Vikings' head coach, Mike Zimmer was one of the league's top defensive coordinators, winning the NFL Assistant Coach of the Year award as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals staff in 2009. While it's unclear whether the 66-year-old is looking to return to the NFL after being fired by the Vikings following the 2021 season -- he spent 2022 as an analyst with Jackson State -- he has an obvious connection to Cleveland, as Stefanski served as an assistant on his staff from 2014-19.