Browns DC Jim Schwartz future update: Final decision made for Todd Monken’s staff

A vast majority of people were shocked when the Cleveland Browns named Todd Monken as the team’s head coach. The Browns head coach search had many believing it was between a couple of young candidates and Cleveland’s defensive coordinator, Jim Schwartz.

Schwartz was reportedly very upset when he found out the news of Monken getting the job over him.

Monken mostly brushed off questions about Schwartz during his introductory press conference, but did note that he took the Browns job because of the players, not the defensive coordinator. Monken also made it clear that Cleveland’s defensive system would stay the same in 2026 no matter who was the coordinator.

The Friday before the Super Bowl came the final decision from Schwartz as he resigned from his job with the Browns:

As noted previously, Schwartz has a contract for this year and is unable to coach elsewhere without Cleveland’s permission, which seems unlikely to come. Even if Schwartz wants to coach next year after sitting out a season, he will need the Browns permission, most likely. Sean Payton, for example, resigned from the New Orleans Saints and did television for a year, but the Denver Broncos had to trade for the right to hire him.

Monken will now need to find a new defensive coordinator who runs the same or very similar system as Schwartz.

Are you surprised by this outcome? Do you think it would have been better if Schwartz returned, even if he was unhappy?

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