The Cleveland Browns are considering hiring Wade Phillips as defensive coordinator, unnamed sources told cleveland.com.
Phillips, 72, has been in the NFL since 1976 with 11 franchises, including the past three seasons as the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive coordinator.
Earlier this month, Phillips tweeted that the Rams decided not to renew his contract after the team missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2016 season.
“I still want to coach and feel I can contribute,” Phillips wrote.
I have been informed by the Rams that my contract will not be renewed.
I want to thank them for the opportunity to be a part of their success the last 3years. Most of all I want to thank the players who I loved workings with. I still want to coach and feel I can contribute.— Wade Phillips (@sonofbum) January 6, 2020
In 2019, the Rams allowed 339.6 yards per game (13th fewest in the NFL) and 22.8 points per game (17th fewest in the NFL).
Last season, Phillips helped guide the Rams to an appearance in Super Bowl 53 against the New England Patriots.
Despite the loss, the Patriots scored only 13 points.
Phillips has been the head coach of six NFL teams: the New Orleans Saints in 1985, the Denver Broncos from 1993-1994, the Buffalo Bills from 1998-2000, the Atlanta Falcons in 2003, the Dallas Cowboys from 2007-2010 and the Houston Texans in 2013.
He has held various assistant coaching positions with the University of Houston, Oklahoma State University, the University of Kansas, the Houston Oilers, the Philadelphia Eagles, and San Diego Chargers.
In 2015, Phillips won AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year as the Broncos defensive coordinator when the team won Super Bowl 50 over the Carolina Panthers.
When the Rams hired Phillips in 2017, head coach Sean McVay was just 31 years old.
No doubt McVay relied upon Phillips’ experience.
Cleveland could do the same with Phillips considering new Browns coach Kevin Stefanski is only 37 years old, making him the third-youngest head coach in the NFL behind Cincinnati’s Zac Taylor (36) and McVay (33).
The Browns will formally introduce Stefanski as the team’s 18th head coach during a Tuesday afternoon news conference.
Stefanski is expected to interview several candidates for the defensive coordinator position.
It includes current Browns’ defensive coordinator Steve Wilks and Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator George Edwards, whose contract is not being renewed.
Vikings’ defensive coordinator George Edwards is not expected to return to Minnesota for next season, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 13, 2020
Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reported Wilks was set to become Stefanski’s defensive coordinator had he gotten the Browns’ job last year.
Instead, Cleveland chose to promote offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens, who finished with a 6-10 record in his only season as the team’s head coach.
The Browns fired Kitchens at the end of the season.
Because Phillips runs a 3-4 front, the Browns would likely have to overhaul their defensive roster if they hire him.
It means Myles Garrett — the team’s best defensive player — would likely have to convert from defensive end to outside linebacker once the league reinstates him.
Phillips is the son of coach Bum Phillips.
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I think Wade Phillips is the perfect pick for the job. His history is enough for him to get hired, and his recent stint with the Rams proves he can still do a really good job at coaching defenses. I can’t think of anyone else right for the job.
Thanks for reading and thanks for your feedback, Steven.