The Cleveland Browns truly stepped in something with their handling of the hiring of new coach Todd Monken, not so much based on whether Monken can do the job, but more because of the way the team handled defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who has been with the Browns for three seasons and has done an excellent job leading his unit despite the utter incompetence of the offense.
The Browns were ranked as the No. 2 defense in the NFL in 2025 by Pro Football Focus, and was No. 8 last year and No. 6 in Schwartz’s first year. The defense was No. 25 the year before Schwartz arrived.
The Browns got a record performance in 2025 from Myles Garrett as well as breakout years from the likes of Alex Wright, Maliek Collins and Devin Bush. Linebacker Carson Schwesinger was one of the best rookies in the league, and Schwartz deserves credit for all of that. It’s understandable that he was angry–“heartbroken” wrote Cleveland veteran columnist Terry Pluto–when the head coaching job went to Monken, and that he vowed not to coach for Cleveland again.
Browns Will Wait Before Approaching Jim Schwartz
But Pluto also notes that, in fact, Schwartz might not be done in Cleveland. He is, after all, under contract as the defensive coordinator for next season and for 2027, so if he wants to coach in the NFL, the Browns could hold him to his deal. Monken has indicated he wants Schwartz to stay put.
And according to Pluto, the situation with Schwartz is similar to that of Garrett at this time last year, when he demanded a trade and wanted to go to a team that had a chance to win a Super Bowl. The Browns let Garrett cool off, approached him with the richest contract for a defensive player in the history of the NFL, and let bygones be bygones.
“The Browns are going to wait a while before talking to Schwartz about returning. They believe this is a little like the Myles Garrett situation, where the star defensive end demanded to be traded and vowed never to play for the team again,” Pluto wrote.
“… The Browns know Schwartz was “very hurt” by the decision. That’s understandable. He believed he was the right man for the job because of his connection with the players and knowledge of the organization. …Right now is a “cooling off” period. This is just my guess, but it’s very possible the Browns can offer him a longer deal with a raise.”
GettyNew Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken is assembling his staff.
NFL Hiring Cycle Running Out of Spots
As for what’s next with the Browns-Schwartz situation, that remains TBD. Monken was expected to be the offensive coordinator in New York, sticking with coach John Harbaugh, but now the Giants are looking for a replacement.
There are only two head coaching jobs left on the board here at the end of January, and that’s the Raiders and Cardinals. It’s too late for Schwartz to get involved with either, of course, but he could be a coordinator candidate for one or both of those situations.
The Ravens, Dolphins, 49ers and Titans also have open defensive coordinator spots.
Ultimately, once the dust has settled, Schwartz may see that returning to coach Garrett and Co., perhaps with a raise, is his best option. But it may take a little time.
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