The Cleveland Browns are in the middle of a major reset this offseason, and it’s not just about the head coach. After a disappointing 5-12 finish to the 2025 season, the Browns parted ways with Kevin Stefanski, ushering in a new era under recently hired head coach Todd Monken. But while the offensive side of the ball is starting to take shape, the defensive coordinator position remains a glaring vacancy - and it’s starting to raise eyebrows.
Jim Schwartz, who helped engineer one of the league’s most aggressive defenses, stepped down from his role as defensive coordinator after being passed over for the head coaching job. That departure left a sizable void, and the Browns’ front office - led by owner Jimmy Haslam and GM Andrew Berry - is now under fire for the delay in naming a replacement.
Longtime Browns radio analyst Tony Rizzo didn’t mince words when discussing the situation. “If I didn’t know better, this looks like the Jimmy Haslam and Andrew Berry show from top to bottom,” Rizzo said on his podcast, suggesting the front office is steering this ship with a tight grip, even when it comes to coaching hires.
And that brings us to the current state of the search. After reportedly evaluating seven candidates, the Browns have narrowed it down to three finalists, according to team insider Mary Kay Cabot.
Two of those names come from outside the building: Cory Undlin, who served as the Houston Texans’ passing game specialist, and Mike Rutenberg, who held a similar role with the Atlanta Falcons. Both bring experience in secondary development and pass defense - areas that will be critical for a Browns team trying to re-establish its identity on that side of the ball.
The third finalist is a familiar face: Jason Tarver, the Browns’ current linebackers coach. Tarver has been in the building, understands the personnel, and could offer some much-needed continuity after a season that saw the defense struggle with injuries and inconsistency.
Still, questions remain about who’s really driving the decision-making process. While Monken has been brought in to lead the team, there’s skepticism about how much influence he’s having on the defensive coordinator hire.
Rizzo voiced what many are wondering: “Who’s making the decision? Do you believe it’s Todd Monken?
I don’t.”
That’s a fair concern. Monken, known for his offensive acumen and most recently coordinating a dynamic Baltimore Ravens unit, is stepping into a situation where the front office has historically been hands-on. Whether he’s being given the autonomy to shape his staff - especially on the defensive side - could have long-term implications for how this new era unfolds.
What’s clear is that the Browns can’t afford to get this hire wrong. With the AFC North as competitive as ever and the team’s quarterback situation still under scrutiny, Cleveland needs a defensive coordinator who can maximize the talent on hand and bring stability to a unit that’s flashed potential but struggled with consistency.
The clock is ticking. Whoever lands the job will inherit a defense with pieces - Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah - but also pressure. Pressure to perform, pressure to deliver results quickly, and pressure to help turn around a franchise that’s once again at a crossroads.
We should have answers soon. But until then, the spotlight stays on Haslam, Berry, and Monken - and how they navigate one of the most important hires of the Browns’ offseason.