The New Orleans Saints are interviewing Joe Woods for their vacant defensive coordinator position.
The #Saints are interviewing former #Browns defensive coordinator Joe Woods for his job in DC, sources and @RapSheet tell me. Woods was on Dennis Allen’s staff with the #Raiders in 2014.
– Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 2, 2023
The New Orleans Saints are bringing in former Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Joe Woods to interview for his open job in DC, according to a report. Woods has spent time with Saints head coach Dennis Allen in the past.
In 2014, both were part of the Raiders organization. Woods was recently fired after spending three seasons as Cleveland’s defensive coordinator. The Browns opted for Jim Schwartz to lead the defense after the firing. It appears that Woods is drawing interest in the very job he just got fired from rather quickly.
Woods wasn’t the only negative slowing down Cleveland’s defense. However, there’s an obvious lack of staffing issues that sting as well. Perhaps those around the league will consider it.
Woods has coached in the league on the defensive end since 2004 with various teams. At 52, he will surely have another chance. We will have to see if that comes with the Saints and is reunited with Allen, or that is elsewhere.
If Woods got the job, he would have much better talent on the defensive end of the ball. Players like Cameron Jordan and Marshon Lattimore are top-tier players at their respected positions. Also cornerback Alontae Taylor has become a solid corner in his rookie season. There’s a lot to like here with this defense.
Now that Sean Payton has been traded to the Denver Broncos means Dennis Allen will have at least one more year as head coach. In one of the worst divisions in the NFL, New Orleans may be the favorite to win the NFC South according to Louisiana sportsbooks. Now that Tom Brady is retiring and out of the picture for the Buccaneers, this could be the time for the Saints to step up.
