FEBRUARY 7: Monken contacted Schwartz three days after his hire, attempting to arrange a partnership between the two. As The Athletic’s Dianna Russini notes (subscription required), Schwartz “was not enthused” with the timing of the communication, something which further explains his resignation decision. ESPN’s Dan Graziano confirms Schwartz is likely to spend the 2026 season out of coaching before resurfacing elsewhere.
FEBRUARY 6: Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz was a finalist to become their head coach, but the job ultimately went to Todd Monken on Jan. 28. Schwartz made it clear afterward that he wanted to leave Cleveland, and he’ll do just that a little over a week later. Schwartz has resigned, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network was among those to report.
In announcing Schwartz’s departure, the Browns stated: “Yesterday, Jim Schwartz submitted his letter of resignation as defensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns. We’d like to thank Jim for his contributions to our organization over the last three seasons. Our search for a new defensive coordinator will begin immediately.”
The Browns tried to retain Schwartz as their defensive leader for a fourth season, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Although they were unable to do it, they continue to hold his rights, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com notes. The 59-year-old is not expected to coach anywhere in 2026, per Garafolo. He stepped down with two years left on his contract.
Schwartz was the Lions’ head coach from 2009-13, but he hasn’t gotten another shot since he guided the team to a 29-51 record and one playoff berth in five seasons. While his time in Detroit didn’t go well, Schwartz was a top-tier defensive coordinator with the Titans from 2001-08. He has thrived in that role with the Bills (2014), Eagles (2016-20) and Browns (2023-25) since the Lions let him go. Schwartz won Super Bowl LII in Philadelphia.
After returning to Tennesee as a senior defensive assistant from 2021-22, now-former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski brought him in to replace Joe Woods as their D-coordinator. The Browns earned their most recent playoff berth in Schwartz’s first season, and his defense was a major contributor. The unit topped the league in total defense and ranked 13th in points allowed. Schwartz subsequently picked up AP Assistant Coach of the Year honors.
The Browns’ win total plummeted from 11 to three in 2024, during which their defense submitted below-average marks in yards (19th) and points (27th). Although the Browns struggled again during a 12-loss campaign this past season, Schwartz’s group did its best to make up for a bottom-of-the-barrel offense.
Cleveland’s defense rebounded to finish fourth in yards and 14th in scoring in 2025. End Myles Garrett set the all-time single-season sack record (23) en route to unanimous Defensive Player of the Year honors. Linebacker Carson Schwesinger also took home hardware on Thursday, the day Schwartz tendered his resignation. Schwesinger was voted the unanimous Defensive Rookie of the Year after piling up 156 tackles, 2.5 sacks and two interceptions in 16 games.
Despite the success Garrett, Schwesinger and the rest of the Browns’ defense enjoyed under Schwartz, it wasn’t enough to earn a promotion. The Browns are higher on the offensive-minded Monken after his terrific three-year run as the Ravens’ play-caller. Monken, who emerged as the “strong No. 1 choice” in the Browns’ HC search, now faces the unenviable task of replacing Schwartz.
During his introductory press conference on Tuesday, Monken expressed a desire to continue with the same defensive system in the event of Schwartz’s exit. With that in mind, Texans defensive backs coach Dino Vasso and defensive pass game coordinator Cory Undlin are names to watch for the Browns, Rapoport relays.
Vasso and Undlin serve under Texans DC Matt Burke, a Schwartz disciple who worked with him in Detroit and Philadelphia. Schwartz also had Vasso and Undlin on his staff with the Eagles, and now either could end up replacing him in Cleveland in the coming days. Undlin is familiar with the organization, having worked as a Browns assistant from 2005-08.
Interesting strategy. A coordinator can resign from their post, literally become a free agent, then apply for other coordinator jobs if they are restricted by their franchises?
arty!:
I would think they still retain his rights and anyone who wanted to hire as defensive coordinator would need their permission.
I believe that only applies if he is still under contract and getting paid by the Browns. This should be treated as him being fired; automatic free agent.
He may resign but the Browns still have his contract rights. He’d have to be traded or released if he wants to go somewhere else.
Just like Jeff Stoutland in Philadelphia. He resigned as OL coach but cannot take another job until next year
bowserhound:
I don’t think this is so. Like Mike Tomlin resigned from the Steelers. They’re not going to pay out his contract because he resigned, but they still have his rights. I think the same thing will be true with Schwartz. This wouldn’t be treated like him getting fired. When you’re fired, you do get paid out your contract. It’s treated like he resigned because that’s what happened but the team that he resigned from still has his rights. Of course, the only thing that would change this is if Schwartz was being interviewed for a head coach job. He can take a head coach job because it’s a promotion. But he can’t take another defensive coordinator job without the Browns permission because that’s a lateral move and the browns still hold his rights.
But wouldn’t the team that hired him have to give up draft pick compensation?
Tracenv:
That would be up to the Browns. They could demand some kind of compensation, but in all likelihood, they would probably just let him go coach somewhere else without compensation. I mean, they passed him over for the head coaching job. It’s not that reasonable to expect him to come back as a defensive coordinator of a coach that was picked over him.
He was still under contract, hence why he had to resign.
Browns hold his right for 2 years so any team hiring him as a DC would need the Browns permission and would require draft pick compensation….a team could hire him as a HC without the Browns permission but obviously Schwartz isn’t a hot commodity for HC jobs….this will cost him if his goal was to be a HC again …
Tracenv:
Another team wouldn’t necessarily have to give the Browns compensation. It’s at the Brown’s discretion. And honestly, with the way they treated Schwartz passing him over for someone else, I would think they would just let him go be a defensive coordinator somewhere else, especially if it wasn’t in their division. I mean, when is the last time you saw a team give up compensation for a coordinator?
Glad that has been cleared up. Now time to move forward.
Go Browns!!!
or backward.
I prefer to be positive. Negativity does not reside in my house.
Matt in a hat, this is the year, isn’t it lol
Considering this is the Browns we’re talking about, you’re probably right! 🤣
The grapes be sour.
The Bengals defense could really use a guy like Schwartz and he would probably work for a discount just to get two cracks at Cleveland each season 🙂
Does GM Burrow approve of this? Frankly speaking, Joe has had way too much say/influence in roster construction; & then is mad it’s poorly built?
The Browns would be crazy to trade his rights to Cinci since they’re in the same division.
They absolutely would, especially knowing his talents, but on the other hand, they would be at least getting something for nothing. Not likely Cleveland’s top choice, but is it worth it to get something for nothing, even with a division rival?
If of course, in this hypothetical, Cincinatti even makes a good offer to begin with.
To clarify, I mean this informally. My wording definitely gives off the wrong connotation. Teams can’t trade for assistants directly.
This tells you everything you need to know about out his character
lol what?
That he strives for the highest possible level and has the backbone to leave if he doesn’t get the role? I have no ill will toward the man. I wish things were different, but this was the likely outcome.
A 60-year old got passed over for a promotion with a company where he’s done great work for several years despite notorious organizational dysfunction, so he’s stepping down rather than beginning a new phase with a new boss with a rough outlook. Sounds pretty reasonable to me.
I think it is more about the reported actions that took place once he was aware of the fact he did not get the job. Kind of sad that a grown man acts like a spoiled child when he doesn’t get what he wants…
I wanted him to stay because he is a hell of a DC, but his actions help me not sweat his resignation.
We know that taking things in stride isn’t the man’s strong suit. Remember when he tried to fight Jim Harbaugh on the field?
Matt.. You have no idea what may or may not have happened behind the scenes. That organization has bungled things so badly at times, there’s no reason to believe they didn’t bungle this, too. I wish the man the best and that he does a great coaching job in a better place.
I could agree when it comes to the story of him asking players to talk him up, but I can see a valid reason for Schwartz leaving if he doesn’t feel appreciated after turning in pretty good work. I won’t guess to a man’s character whom I don’t know, but I can see his perspective if he feels that he put in good work and got passed over for someone that he feels is a lesser candidate (or, alternatively, one who hasn’t put the time in with the organization that Schwartz feels that he has).
Ak, I agree with the assertion that he might want to leave after not getting the job, but he went about it all wrong. The Browns have let other coaches leave despite being under contract to pursue other jobs. I have no issue with Jim wanting to leave, he just needed to be more civil about it…
I can see your argument. Fair enough to me.
Niners should have waited and hired him
Browns still have his contract rights. He quit not fired, quitting is on him not the team.
But they could trade for the right to hire him. Could be a little complicated, but I assume the Browns could float the idea by him or his agent
Yeah but teams don’t trade for coordinators, there are too many other options. Trading for someone to be a coordinator is like saying they are the greatest coordinator of all time.
Or they could have the class to let an older coach with a great coaching history, just move on.
Hmm but when it is a player that wants out, I see many saying “No loyalty, you signed it you should go through it”
So why is a the org classless whe. It involves a coach but not a player who gets drafted not picking the job like he did? Jim should honor the contract.
Rondon, he is under contract as a DC and they wanted him as DC. Why would the Browns give him walking papers just because he was butt hurt about not becoming HC? He is under contract, one that he freely signed, to be the DC and he never was out of the position! Not up to the club to release him, because they wanted him in the position he was contracted for and currently holding!
He wanted out, seems like he tried to get fired and when they didn’t fire him, he used the only other method he could to be done with the job and HE QUIT!
I don’t want quitters on my team… (looking over at Watson)…
I’ll answer that first question- if someone doesn’t want to work for you, you rip up the contract since he broke it, as you say, stop paying him and let him pursue what he wants to pursue and don’t try and stand in his way. That’s what Rondon likely means by the classy way. You seem like a company man type when it comes to the team
“company man type”?
Please explain what this means to you.
Why shouldn’t Jim do it the “classy way” right off the bat and resign as soon as he found out he didn’t get the job he wanted? Dude signed a contract to work and decided he didn’t want to do it anymore. That’s quitting. A company isn’t under any obligation to fire someone because they don’t want to work there. Be a grown man and quit. But instead he tried to get fired so he could do whatever he wants. Selfishness. Had he sat down with them and negotiated a separation, they probable would have been amicable. He never tried that route, by all accounts provided.
Like I said above.. None of us know anything about what may or may not have happened behind the scenes. Who knows? The Browns may have made promises to him that they broke. Maybe behind the scenes, Monken was an A hole about it. Regardless.. Of all the coaches and FO suits in that $hit $show, he’s the only one who’s done the job he was paid for at a high level. Let the man go.
The Browns hold his rights for 2 years and if another team wants him as a DC …it will cost them draft pick compensation…
The NFL isn’t mainstream America…their not obligated to simply tear up his contract…..
Which might be a reason he resigned?
If he was fired would that negate the ‘compensation’ clause (likely) therefore making it easier to move to another team? A move like that would be another FU to the Browns from the Schwartz camp.
Schwartz will be back in Philly next season replacing Vic Fangio who will retire. Mike Tomlin, who will replace Sirianni (who will be fired!) will hire him as his new DC
Good riddance! Now promote Jason Tarver and move on to winning some football ..
Good riddance? This may have been inevitable, but let’s consider Schwartz’s contribution to the Browns’ win record the last several years, here.
You really expect objectivity and logic from Tracenv regarding anything the Browns do? Cmon, they can do no wrong, you should know thay by now.
I can consider it sure, but can’t respect him acting like a 5 yr old….he’s replaceable, as we all are….
Sure, we can agree or disagree on Schwartz’s personal actions, but I’d at least argue that his stellar performance on a team that has faced numerous challenges should at least be recognized positively when the relationship finally does end. “Good riddance” seems a bit harsh, no?
If the D takes a step back before Monken turns Sanders or whoever into a star then this will look like a horrible decision. You just had two defensive guys win awards yesterday but screw em the Browns need to focus on offense even though beyond Fanin and Judkins they need a complete overhaul.
Hannibal8us:
Sorry, I couldn’t get past the Monken turning Sanders into a star part.
ALL IN CAPS TO BE CLEAR
THE BUCCANEERS NEED TO BE ALL OVER THIS!!!
Good for him
He was a terrible head coach with the Lions, and his attitude was a major factor in a poor locker room culture. I don’t know that Monken will be any more or less successful in Cleveland than Schwartz would have been, but I’m far from shocked that Schwartz threw a fit over getting passed over
Cleveland Clowns monthly circus
University of Illinois has an opening.
Not being privy to how these contracts actually work – article contains ‘two years left on his contract.’ – does this control his hiring rights until the 2029 season?
Can he circumvent any ‘compensation’ requirement by taking a lesser, than DC, job?
I’d think the Browns would expect draft choices of a 3rd to 7th round to let him hire elsewhere.
Sure there cats out there that are versed in the intricacies.
J O. 2:
Nobody is giving a third round pick to hire Schwartz as their defensive coordinator.
Teams can trade for head coaches, but not assistants. Whether someone works out a way to “give” compensation for a “coincidental” release of Schwartz is a different matter.
Ak185:
If a team has a coordinator under contract and another team wants that coordinator, compensation can be worked out in the form of a draft pick. I just can’t see anyone giving much of a draft pick for most coordinators.
No, not directly. According to the NFL, only head coaches or “ high ranking” staff members can be traded. By “high ranking”, they designate GMs, vice presidents, or some similar front office role. Coordinators and other assistants do not qualify.
Any deal would have be a “wink, wink” type thing that indirectly compensates the Browns and that probably would end up drawing the league’s attention in regards to that rule. Who knows, they might end up changing it.
Ak185:
Where do you see this because what I read stated that coordinators can go to other teams for compensation.
Sportingnews recently wrote an article about it. They quote Cleveland.com, who got a quote directly from Brian McCarthy, who is a league spokesman, in reference specifically to Schwartz’s resignation.
Ak185:
Hmmm I’m not sure. I keep trying to research but I don’t see that language anywhere. Oh well. Doesn’t really matter.
It’s based on a quote from a spokesman-not sure which bylaw or other rule it may be.
link to sportingnews.com
Not sure how this will go, but there’s a URL.
Ak185:
I just looked this up, so I guess there’s some way they can kind of work something out:
While teams can trade head coaches, they cannot trade coordinators. However, veteran NFL voice Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk pitched a scenario where the Browns could essentially “trade” Schwartz if a team is interested in adding him to their staff. Florio targeted the Las Vegas Raiders as a team that could try to pull something like that off.
“It’s possible that the Raiders and Browns could informally work out some other tentative trade involving players and/or draft picks, to be effective when the league year begins on March 11,” Florio said. “Extra compensation for Schwartz could be buried into that transaction.
“Then, the Browns — in an apparent display of magnanimity — would release Schwartz from his remaining contractual obligations. So it’s over. Unless it isn’t. And things could get interesting if/when Kubiak becomes the new head coach of the Raiders and if/when the Raiders try to find a way to get Schwartz to Las Vegas.”
Oh yeah, I agree. Any compensation would be indirect. It’s what I actually expect as the most likely outcome. I’m sure you and most of us agree. How it ends up happening might be interesting, particularly if the NFL decides to try and prevent that in the future-or, even, enable it.
raaaiiidddeerssss! lol
All I have to say is, ” May the Schwartz be with you.”
I see your Swartz is as big as mine
The Bengals should jump on him right away. First call to offer Swartz a contract. Second call to fire Golden.
Seems like a decent DC. It’s in everyone’s best interest that the Browns take a 6th rounder. It’s bad optics to fight over the dude getting another job.