Todd Monken didn’t waste any time setting the tone in his first press conference as the Cleveland Browns’ new head coach. No fluff, no clichés - just straight talk, a little edge, and a clear message: he’s here to build something tough, and he’s not afraid to make tough calls.
From the jump, Monken looked and sounded like a coach who’s been around the block. Raspy voice, steely demeanor - a no-nonsense presence that matched the questions flying his way, especially about two big names: Shedeur Sanders and Jim Schwartz.
On Sanders, Monken kept things close to the vest - no surprise there. But when it came to Schwartz, the Browns’ longtime defensive coordinator, Monken didn’t dance around the awkwardness. He tackled it head-on.
“They’re a big reason why I took this job, the defensive players,” Monken said, referencing stars like Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward, and Carson Schwesinger. “I didn’t take this job for Jim Schwartz.”
That’s as direct as it gets. And while the Browns didn’t offer much more clarity on Schwartz’s future - owner Jimmy Haslam only said that conversations are “ongoing” - the subtext was loud and clear: the ball is in Schwartz’s court.
Monken isn’t begging anyone to stay. And if Schwartz decides to walk, Cleveland sounds like it’s already bracing for that possibility.
If Schwartz was watching, he probably didn’t feel overly reassured. The relationship between him and the franchise feels strained, and with other teams reportedly interested in his services - if he can get out of his current contract - it’s not hard to imagine him moving on. The Browns, meanwhile, aren’t waiting around.
Monken emphasized that even if Schwartz departs, the Browns’ defensive identity isn’t going anywhere.
“My anticipation is that we’re not going to change the system,” Monken said. “It’s very difficult to go against.
We’re built for the system that they’re in currently. And I’m not going to get into staffing, because that’s not at this time; I’m not getting into that.
But they can be rest assured that we’re going to keep the same system. We’re still going to let them attack.
We’re still going to let them play free. I can’t see any other way.”
That’s a strong endorsement of the scheme Schwartz installed - and a clear signal that Monken values continuity on that side of the ball. Even if the man behind the system isn’t sticking around, the blueprint will.
Haslam backed that up in a separate session with reporters, giving a nod to the defensive staff already in place under Schwartz. He highlighted the unit’s position coaches - Ephraim Banda (safeties), Brandon Lynch (cornerbacks), Jason Tarver (linebackers), and Jacques Cesaire (defensive line) - as key contributors to the defense’s success.
“We also have a great staff,” Haslam said. “And I think Jim would tell you, the four leaders of the D-line, linebackers, cornerbacks, and safeties are all outstanding coaches, so we’re excited moving forward.”
That group isn’t just there to coach position groups - they’re the Browns’ contingency plan. If Schwartz exits, one of them could very well step up as defensive coordinator.
Banda, in particular, is a name to watch. He’s already been on the radar this hiring cycle, having interviewed with both the Cowboys and Jets for their DC openings.
The ideal scenario for Cleveland? Haslam and Schwartz find common ground, work out a deal, and keep the band together for at least one more season.
But Monken made it clear: the Browns aren’t banking on that. They’re moving forward with or without him.
With the new league year just weeks away, the clock is ticking. Schwartz has a decision to make.
But Monken? He’s already made his.