The Cleveland Browns are wasting no time turning the page after the Super Bowl. With Jim Schwartz stepping away as defensive coordinator, the search to fill one of the league’s most coveted-and high-pressure-defensive jobs is already heating up. New head coach Todd Monken is steering the process, and while continuity remains a priority, the Browns are casting a wide net that now includes two of the NFL’s rising defensive minds: Aubrey Pleasant and Jonathan Cooley.
Let’s break down what these two bring to the table-and where they might fit in Cleveland’s defensive future.
Aubrey Pleasant (Rams Assistant Head Coach / Pass Game Coordinator)
Pleasant has been a trusted figure on Sean McVay’s staff in Los Angeles, serving as both assistant head coach and pass game coordinator. That’s not just a title-it’s a signal that Pleasant is seen as a leader in the room, someone who commands respect and knows how to manage the game at a high level.
His coaching style? Intense, energetic, and unapologetically aggressive-especially when it comes to the secondary.
Pleasant has a knack for developing ballhawks, and his units often reflect his personality: fast, physical, and opportunistic. He’s the kind of coach who can take raw talent in the defensive backfield and turn it into a cohesive, playmaking unit.
But here’s the catch: he hasn’t called plays full-time at the NFL level. That’s a significant leap, especially when you’re inheriting a defense that finished top-five in the league and helped Myles Garrett put up a franchise-record 23 sacks.
The Browns don’t just need a coach-they need someone who can keep the machine humming at a high level. That makes the lack of play-calling experience a real factor.
Jonathan Cooley (Panthers Defensive Pass Game Coordinator)
Cooley’s name might not be as nationally known, but in coaching circles, he’s been climbing fast. A Columbus native and John Carroll alum, Cooley brings a deep understanding of Northeast Ohio football culture-a detail that may resonate more than you’d think in a locker room that values toughness, grit, and accountability.
He’s also built a strong reputation as a sharp, detail-oriented coach with an analytical edge. His Panthers secondary in 2023 didn’t just hold up-they excelled, allowing the third-fewest passing yards in the league.
This season, they followed that up by giving up the seventh-fewest passing touchdowns. That’s not a fluke.
That’s coaching.
The potential snag? Cooley’s schematic background leans heavily on the Vic Fangio tree-zone-heavy, split-safety looks that emphasize disguise and coverage depth.
That’s a stylistic departure from the aggressive, single-high "Wide-9" system Schwartz ran, which was built to unleash players like Garrett off the edge. Monken has made it clear he wants to keep that DNA intact, so any candidate will need to show they can either adapt or build on that foundation without losing its edge.
Don’t Forget the In-House Options
While Pleasant and Cooley are exciting external names, the Browns haven’t ruled out promoting from within. Linebackers coach Jason Tarver and safeties coach Ephraim Banda are both respected voices in the building and offer the kind of system continuity Monken emphasized in his introductory press conference.
Tarver brings years of experience and a deep understanding of the personnel, while Banda is a rising star in his own right. Both have the advantage of familiarity-not just with the players, but with the aggressive, attacking identity that defined Schwartz’s unit.
What’s Next?
This isn’t just about filling a vacancy-it’s about choosing the right architect for a defense that’s already elite. Whoever takes the reins will inherit a unit loaded with talent, from Garrett to Denzel Ward to Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. The challenge will be maintaining that high standard while evolving the scheme to match Monken’s broader vision.
Pleasant and Cooley bring fresh ideas and undeniable upside. Tarver and Banda offer stability and a proven fit. The Browns are doing their due diligence-and with a decision this important, they should be.
The race is on. And with the right hire, Cleveland’s defense could be even scarier in 2026.