BEREA, Ohio — Browns defensive coordinator Steve Wilks knows what it feels like to be one-and-done, and he’d hate for the same thing to happen to Freddie Kitchens.

“It takes time to build a culture, it takes time to implement your system and get guys on the same page,’’ said Wilks as the Browns prepare to face the 1-14 Bengals in the season finale in Cincinnati. “Sometimes the business is what it is, but without a doubt I think Freddie definitely is the guy for this job.

"In what he’s been able to do in a short period of time, you can see the progress in the things that we’re doing as far as moving forward. We’ve got a lot of guys hurt. We’re not making any excuses, but it has been the case. But the guys continue to play hard and find a way to win.’’

Wilks, fired by the Cardinals after going 3-13 in his first season last year, feels for Kitchens amid questions about job security the past few weeks.

“Of course, I’m not speaking for Freddie, but I can tell you that I know he’s not paying attention to the outside noise,’’ he said. “He’s doing a great job trying to keep this team focused. Our task is to be 1-0 this last game. There’s always speculation. Hell, I dealt with it probably the last five weeks. But you have to make sure you stay focused because everybody’s going to react off your demeanor and your personality and I think Freddie’s doing a great job.’’

He praised Kitchens for navigating the team through the outside speculation.

“I think we’re all grown; we all know what we signed up for,’’ he said. “I think as an individual you have to have enough confidence in yourself and your ability. But most importantly you’ve got to stay focused on the task at hand. That’s what I try to do and that’s definitely what Freddie’s doing now.’’

He said Kitchens’ 1-0 mantra has struck the right note, and the players have bought in.

“What’s going to happen is going to happen, but you continue to try to get these guys prepared and ready to play, which I think Freddie has done a tremendous job with all the things that have happened throughout the year,’’ he said. “The guys have responded, the message has been consistent. We’ve just got to find ways, particularly on defense, to make more plays."

Wilks believes the future is bright for his injury-ravaged defense, which starters Christian Kirksey, Myles Garrett, Olivier Vernon and Morgan Burnett for much of the season, including the entire home stretch.

“When you look at Kirko going out early, he’s a major asset to this defense, a great player and just that vocal leader as well,’’ said Wilks. “Then you add Myles and Olivier to the mix as well, with two solid corners, I see this defense being very successful. I’m excited about the guys that we have. I’m excited about the future and the things we can accomplish.

"It’s always staying healthy down the stretch, but Joe Schobert, the way he played, and the two young linebackers as I just mentioned with [Sione Takitaki] as well as Mack [Wilson], so there are a lot of key guys on this defense if we can just keep them together, I think we’ll be pretty good.’’

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