LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. – The Washington Redskins announced today that they have named Cannon Matthews as Defensive Quality Control.
Matthews, 31, joins the Redskins with eight years of NFL coaching experience. He most recently served as the assistant defensive backs coach for the Cleveland Browns in 2016. The stint was his second with the Browns, including a defensive coaching internship during the 2013 season in which Cleveland jumped from 23rd to ninth in the NFL in total defense.
From 2014-15, Matthews held the defensive quality control role for the Tennessee Titans, assisting with the team's linebackers. In his first season with the Titans in 2014, the team recorded at least one sack by 18 different players, a team record and the most in the NFL. A year later, the Titans finished sixth in the NFL in sacks per pass play, seventh in passing yards allowed and eighth in opponent rushing average.
Prior to coaching running backs at Kentucky Christian University in 2012, Matthews spent four years with the Buffalo Bills. He served as a defensive and special teams coaching assistant from 2008-09 before transitioning to the offensive side of the ball for the 2010-11 seasons. He entered pro football as a personnel intern with the Arena Football League's Arizona Rattlers in 2008.
A native of Bedford Heights, Ohio, Matthews earned a degree in sport management from Ohio University. He was born June 21, 1985.
MATTHEWS FOOTBALL TIMELINE
2016: Asst. Defensive Backs, Cleveland Browns
2014-15: Defensive Quality Control, Tennessee Titans
2013: Defensive Coaching Intern, Cleveland Browns
2012: Running Backs, Kentucky Christian University
2010-11: Offensive Coaching Assistant, Buffalo Bills
2008-09: Defensive/Special Teams Coaching Assistant, Buffalo Bills
2008: Personnel Intern, Arizona Rattlers (AFL)
