The Cleveland Browns are at a pivotal crossroads-again. After another head coaching change, the franchise is reportedly taking a hard look at someone already in the building: defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
According to reports, the Browns are “circling back” to Schwartz as a serious candidate for the head coaching job, and it’s not hard to see why. He’s respected, experienced, and most importantly, he’s earned the trust of the locker room.
Schwartz helped guide Cleveland’s defense to a top-15 finish in 2025, no small feat considering the internal dysfunction that swirled around the team. Through it all, his unit remained one of the more consistent aspects of a Browns squad that often struggled to find its footing. His ability to keep the defense focused and productive amid chaos speaks volumes-not just about his football IQ, but about his leadership.
This wouldn’t be Schwartz’s first shot at the big chair. He served as head coach of the Detroit Lions from 2009 to 2013, inheriting a team that had just gone 0-16 and dragging them back to respectability.
By 2011, he had the Lions in the playoffs with a 10-6 record. That season remains the high point of his head coaching résumé, though.
Over his other four years in Detroit, he went 19-45, and was let go after the 2013 campaign.
Since then, Schwartz has carved out a strong reputation as a defensive mind, holding coordinator roles with the Bills, Eagles, and now Browns, plus a stint as a senior defensive assistant with the Titans. Wherever he’s gone, his defenses have shown up-tough, disciplined, and often dominant.
Still, not everyone in Cleveland is sold on the idea of Schwartz getting another shot as head coach. Some fans have voiced concern that promoting a well-liked coordinator doesn’t always translate to success.
The argument goes: if the players love him, does that mean he’ll be tough enough to lead? Others are calling for a more offensive-minded hire, pointing to the league-wide trend of pairing young quarterbacks with innovative offensive coaches.
There’s also a lingering sense of déjà vu. Schwartz has been a head coach before, and the results were mixed. That’s led some to question whether the Browns are simply recycling ideas instead of pushing forward with a bold new direction.
But here’s the thing: Schwartz’s familiarity with the team and his command of the defensive side of the ball could be exactly what Cleveland needs right now. If he were to land the job, he’d almost certainly need to bring in a strong offensive coordinator-someone who can take the reins on that side of the ball and build around the talent already in place.
This isn’t a flashy hire, and it wouldn’t be a headline-grabber like some of the other names floating around the league. But it could be a stabilizing one. Schwartz has earned the respect of his players, and in a locker room that’s seen its fair share of turbulence, that matters.
The Browns have tried the splashy route before. Maybe this time, they’re looking for someone who knows the terrain, understands the culture, and can bring a steady hand to a team that desperately needs one. Whether Schwartz is that guy remains to be seen-but the fact that his name is back in the mix tells us the Browns are at least considering a path that values continuity, leadership, and experience.