Browns Rumors: Vance Joseph to Interview for DC Job Under Freddie Kitchens

Former Denver Broncos coach Vance Joseph plans to interview for the Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator vacancy.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Joseph interviewed for the Arizona Cardinals position Thursday before meeting with Cleveland.

The Browns hired Freddie Kitchens as their head coach this week. Kitchens served as the Browns' offensive coordinator for the final eight games of the 2018 season, during which Cleveland went 5-3. The team moved on from interim head coach Gregg Williams.

Joseph, 46, went 11-21 in two seasons as Broncos head coach. He previously spent more than a decade in the NFL as a defensive assistant but was the Miami Dolphins' defensive coordinator for one season before being hired in Denver.

Miami ranked 29th in total yards allowed and 18th in points allowed in Joseph's year at the helm. Joseph's speciality is in the secondary, and it showed in his inability to game plan against the run; the Dolphins gave up 140.4 rushing yards per game in 2016.

Whoever the Browns hire as their defensive coordinator has some promising talent on the roster but will have his work cut out. The Browns finished 30th in total yards allowed but were 12th in Football Outsiders' DVOA rankings.

That could mean there's an ascent coming in 2019, provided Kitchens hires a proper sous-chef