The Cleveland Browns are turning the page with a new head coach, but they’re not looking to rewrite everything - especially not on defense. After officially hiring Todd Monken to lead the team, the Browns are making it clear: they want Jim Schwartz to stay right where he is, calling the shots on defense.
Schwartz, who’s still under contract with the team, was more than just a candidate during Cleveland’s coaching search - he was one of the final three in the running for the top job. Alongside Monken and Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, Schwartz was seriously considered for the promotion. And it’s easy to see why.
Since taking over as defensive coordinator in 2023, Schwartz has completely transformed the Browns’ defense. In his first year, the unit earned the top ranking in the league.
This past season, they followed it up by finishing second - a testament to both consistency and dominance. In a year where the offense struggled and the team limped to a 5-12 finish, the defense was the lone bright spot, keeping Cleveland competitive in games they had no business being in.
That kind of production doesn’t go unnoticed - and it certainly doesn’t get let go without a fight. The Browns know what they have in Schwartz: a proven defensive architect who’s built a unit that can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the league. Holding onto him gives the franchise a rare bit of continuity on one side of the ball, something that’s been hard to come by in recent years.
Now, enter Todd Monken. The Browns’ new head coach brings a sharp offensive mind and a track record of success, most recently with the Baltimore Ravens.
In 2024, Monken’s Ravens offense led the league in both total yards and yards per play - and they did it with a balanced, explosive attack that kept defenses guessing. That kind of firepower is exactly what Cleveland hopes he can replicate.
This isn’t Monken’s first time in Cleveland, either. He served as the Browns’ offensive coordinator back in 2019 under Freddie Kitchens.
That season ended in a clean sweep of the coaching staff and front office, but Monken’s career didn’t stall. He’s since added more NFL experience to his résumé and now returns with 11 years of NFL coaching under his belt - plus a stint as head coach at Southern Miss from 2013 to 2015.
For Monken, the challenge is clear: fix an offense that’s been stuck in neutral. With Schwartz anchoring a top-tier defense, Monken’s immediate focus can be on identifying - and developing - the right quarterback to build around. That decision will shape the Browns’ trajectory not just in 2026, but for seasons to come.
In the big picture, this could be the formula Cleveland needs: a high-level defensive coordinator who already knows the roster and scheme inside out, paired with a new head coach who brings offensive innovation and leadership. It’s a two-pronged approach aimed at finally bringing balance - and success - to a franchise that’s long been searching for both.
If Monken can get the offense humming and Schwartz keeps the defense playing at an elite level, the Browns might just be building something real in Cleveland.