The biggest decision Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski will have to make once this season ends is what to do with defensive coordinator Joe Woods.

Does he stay or go?

Chances are that Stefanski has already made up his mind on that. The decision will come soon. Stefanski will not want it hanging over the team’s head. He will want to either announce that Woods is coming back, allowing everybody to move on and keep it from being a distraction, or he will fire Woods quickly so he can get into the open market and hire the man he wants.

It wasn’t really that long ago that it appeared to be a done deal that Woods would be gone, possibly even before the season was over. The defense was a mess and players were blowing coverages left and right. The lack of communication between Woods and his players, and their lack of understanding of their responsibilities, was obvious to everyone. It was painful to watch.

The defense, though, has improved — a lot in some respects — but there is still plenty of room to grow. The biggest issue remains the unit’s inability to stop the run consistently. Is it just a matter of not enough talent, a problem that could be solved through free agency and the NFL Draft in the off-season, or is there still enough wrong with the foundation of Woods’ schemes and implementation of them that can only be fixed by having a new coordinator?

Stefanski has not tipped his hand as to what he’ll do, but Woods needs to finish with a flurry in these final three games to cement his return, if that’s still possible, and I think it is. I never thought two months ago that I’d feel that way.

Steve King