There will be a new voice in the defensive coaching room in 2023.
Jake Trotter of ESPN was first to report the news on Friday morning, followed a few hours later by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Previously the defensive pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach for the Browns, Howard piloted Cleveland to two consecutive top 5 pass defense finishes before joining the Chargers. Before Cleveland, he spent seven seasons in Minnesota as a defensive assistant, working with the linebackers and defensive backs.
While in Minnesota, Howard crossed paths with Chargers special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken, who said when he was hired that Brandon Staley had “[done] his homework” on him. Ficken said Staley had reached out to a “couple guys in Cleveland” who were familiar with Ficken before deciding to hire him. While there is no concrete connection between Staley and Howard, it seems like the two had talked before.
Howard now takes over a linebacker room in flux. Drue Tranquill is a free agent coming off a career season. A decision has to be made about Kenneth Murray’s fifth-year option. Kyle Van Noy and Troy Reeder are free agents as well.
Howard reportedly also had an offer to join Frank Reich’s staff in Carolina, per Trotter.