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

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.