Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz reportedly wants ‘out’ after being passed over for head coaching job
Following yet another disappointing year marred by poor quarterback play, the Browns were once again in the market for a new head coach, one who would presumably fix those issues and lead the franchise back to prominence.
The team found their guy on Wednesday, reportedly hiring former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken over their own defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz as its next head coach.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that Schwartz had expected to be hired as Cleveland’s next head coach. Now, after being looked over for the job in favor of an outside candidate, Schwartz could be looking elsewhere, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports.
When he received the news that the team would be hiring Monken, Schwartz “was visibly upset, said goodbyes in the building and told other coaches he’s not coming back,” Pelissero reported.
The Browns reportedly do want to retain Schwartz as defensive coordinator under Monken, and he does remain under contract. That could make a desired departure more complicated, should the team deny the opportunity to interview for positions elsewhere.
Schwartz was initially hired as the team’s defensive coordinator in 2023 after spending the previous two seasons as a defensive assistant with the Tennessee Titans. Collectively, he has 32 years of experience in the NFL, including five seasons as a head coach with the Detroit Lions and a combined 17 years of experience as a defensive coordinator with the Titans, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles and, of course, the Browns.
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A head coaching job would have brought Schwartz full circle in his NFL career, having first entered the league as a personnel scout for the Browns at the age of 27. He served in the role from 1993 to 1995 before joining the Baltimore Ravens as a defensive assistant. Now, he could be looking for a fresh start outside of the city in which he started his NFL career.
While the team’s offensive struggles — particularly at quarterback — headlined the host of issues with the Browns organization, its defense continued to shine under Schwartz.
The team ranked 14th in points allowed, eighth in yards allowed and fifth in yards per play in 2025. Star defensive end Myles Garrett set the single-season sack record with 23.0 sacks over 17 games, now almost a sure bet to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year for the second time in his career. Both Garrett and cornerback Denzel Ward made the Pro Bowl. Rookie Carson Schwesinger is a finalist for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Simply put, there’s no shortage of talent for Schwartz to work with, should he remain on staff. But there are also plenty of defensive coordinator opportunities still on the table in what’s been a chaotic coaching carousel this offseason.
Among the teams actively interviewing candidates for a defensive coordinator (or in the market thanks to the coaching cycle) are the Los Angeles Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins.
There are also the two remaining head coach openings for the Las Vegas Raiders and Arizona Cardinals, which could force two more defensive coordinator positions open, depending on whether or not the current staff stays on under new leadership.
