Tag: Jeff Howard Chargers

Chargers hire Jeff Howard as linebackers coach

There will be a new voice in the defensive coaching room in 2023.

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.

Report: Chargers interviewing Browns assistant Jeff Howard for linebackers coach vacancy

The Chargers begin their search for their new linebackers coach.

The Chargers are interviewing Browns assistant coach Jeff Howard for their linebackers coach position, according to ESPN’s Jake Trotter.

This comes a day after Los Angeles fired Michael Wilhoite from that role. Wilhoite spent the past two seasons as the Chargers’ linebackers coach.

Howard spent seven seasons with the Vikings from 2013 to 2019, serving as an assistant to the head coach, a defensive assistant, and an assistant defensive backs coach in his final two seasons.

Howard worked with the likes of safeties Anthony Harris and Harrison Smith, and cornerback Xavier Rhodes and linebacker Anthony Barr during his time with Minnesota.

Howard followed Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski to Cleveland, where he’s been their passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach.

In his first season, he helped their defense rank among the league leaders in takeaways. In Year 2, the Browns finished the 2021 season fifth in the NFL in total defense. In his third season, Cleveland finished fifth in passing defense.