The Cleveland Browns eventually hired Todd Monken as their new head coach, passing on their own defensive coordinator for the role. By bringing in a veteran with a deep offensive background, the team hopes to finally revitalize a struggling young offense. Now, the new head coach has reportedly spoken about the situation.

According to a post by nflclevelandbrowns Instagram account, a post read,” The defense players are a big reason I took this job, I didn’t take this job because of Jim Schwartz…When I was preparing for the Cleveland Browns, I wasn’t trying to chip Jim Schwartz. I was chipping Myles Garrett. I was sliding the protections to the outside backers and Grant Delpit. I was worried about throwing it to the left or right against Ward and Campbell.” Monken said.

Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who was widely considered a top candidate for the job, was passed over for the head coaching position for a second time. Reports suggest Schwartz was deeply frustrated by the decision, 

Monken, who previously served as the Browns’ offensive coordinator in 2019, returns to Cleveland after a highly successful stint with the Baltimore Ravens, where he helped lead one of the league’s most explosive units. Now locked into a multi-year contract, Monken is wasting no time establishing his leadership. He is already working quickly to build out his staff and implement a new offensive operation.

The Browns’ new head coach, Todd Monken, has arrived with a clear message: the defense is the engine that drives this team. He believes the current roster is already talented enough to remain one of the best in the league, regardless of who is calling the plays on that side of the ball. This confidence allows the team to focus its energy on a significant overhaul of the offense.

To jumpstart this process, Monken has already recruited a pair of trusted assistants he worked with during his time with the Baltimore Ravens. Veteran George Warhop returns to Cleveland to lead the offensive line, while Travis Switzer has been brought on as the new offensive coordinator. By surrounding himself with familiar faces, Monken is looking to quickly establish a new identity in Cleveland before the rest of his coaching staff is finalized.

But amongst all this, the team still expects Jim Schwartz to return.

Cleveland needs to find clarity with Jim Schwartz

The future of Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz remains a complex puzzle following the team’s decision to hire Todd Monken as head coach. While insiders like Mary Kay Cabot suggest a return is likely, given that Schwartz is well-compensated and under contract through 2026, the situation is far from settled. 

Reports indicate that Schwartz was “visibly upset” after being passed over for the top job; however, despite this friction, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and GM Andrew Berry are reportedly desperate to keep him, as the defense has led the NFL in fewest yards allowed since his arrival in 2023. 

Monken himself has expressed high praise for Schwartz’s work. Still, the reality of a “forced arrangement” between a new head coach and a disgruntled veteran coordinator could require significant reconciliation to avoid a divided locker room.

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If Schwartz does force an exit, the Browns find themselves in a high-stakes standoff. Because he is under contract, the team has the leverage to block him from taking a lateral move to another franchise, such as the San Francisco 49ers or Pittsburgh Steelers, who have both been linked to him.

However, forcing a coach to stay against his will risks long-term dysfunction, especially since star players like Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward have been vocal supporters of Schwartz’s system. Should a vacancy occur, the Browns’ defensive roster remains one of the most talented in the league, making it an incredibly attractive destination for other top-tier coaches. 

 For now, the organization is holding out hope that the prospect of winning immediately and further reviving his head-coaching stock will convince Schwartz to stay for the 2026 season.