Report: Steve Wilks will be Browns’ defensive coordinator

Former Arizona Cardinals coach Steve Wilks will reportedly join the Cleveland Browns as their new defensive coordinator.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Wilks and the Browns are near a deal and it will likely be sealed on Monday.

The #Browns are expected to hire former #AZCardinals head coach Steve Wilks as their new defensive coordinator, sources say. They are close on a deal and it should be done tomorrow. Big hire for new coach Freddie Kitchens.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 14, 2019

Wilks is a good, experienced get for rookie coach Freddie Kitchens. He has a long career of coaching defenses in the NFL, and served as defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers before his one-year stint as the coach of the Cardinals.

Wilks was an early candidate for the position alongside another former head coach, but he has won the job in the end.