SUMMARY
- Browns DC Jim Schwartz resigns following head coach decision.
- Cleveland loses defensive continuity entering Monken’s first season.
- Schwartz expected to sit out upcoming year.
CLEVELAND — Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz resigned Friday, ending his tenure days after the club chose Todd Monken as head coach and prompting another major transition on the defensive staff, according to NFL Network.
Schwartz’s exit leaves Cleveland searching for leadership on a defense that anchored recent playoff pushes and now must adapt to a new organizational vision.
Schwartz, fifty nine, joined the Browns in twenty twenty three and quickly established an attacking identity built on pressure and simplified coverages.
Cleveland ranked among the league’s top defensive units in multiple categories during his tenure.
After Monken was hired on Jan. twenty eight, Schwartz informed team officials he intended to move on, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The Browns attempted to retain him but were unsuccessful.
“This is a meaningful reset for the staff,” said Andrew Berry, Browns general manager. “Jim’s structure and accountability elevated our defense.”
Former NFL executive Joe Banner said Schwartz’s decision highlights how veteran coordinators weigh autonomy and workload after missing head coaching opportunities.
“He provided consistency during a volatile period,” said Nate Ulrich, Browns beat reporter for the Akron Beacon Journal.
Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported Schwartz plans to step away rather than pursue another role in twenty twenty six.
Monken must identify a coordinator aligned with his offense focused approach. The move reflects the broader impact of leadership change in Cleveland.
