The Cleveland Browns have finally landed their new head coach, bringing in Todd Monken, the former Ravens offensive coordinator. But while that hire ends a long and bumpy search, it’s already stirring up fresh turbulence inside the building-most notably with defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
Schwartz, who crafted one of the league’s most dominant defenses this past season, wasn’t just a candidate for the head coaching job-he was considered a serious in-house option. But when the Browns chose to go with Monken instead, things reportedly unraveled quickly behind the scenes.
According to reports, Schwartz didn’t take the news lightly. In fact, he was visibly upset, said his goodbyes inside team headquarters, and told fellow coaches he doesn’t plan to return. That’s a major development for a team that leaned heavily on its defense to stay afloat in the AFC playoff race.
The Browns still want to keep Schwartz, and he’s under contract, but his future in Cleveland is murky at best. Sources say he’s not interested in staying on after being passed over for the top job. And if he walks, it’s not just a coordinator they’re losing-it’s the architect of a defense that’s been the heartbeat of this team.
This isn’t just about hurt feelings. The ripple effects of this decision could hit the Browns hard.
Schwartz brought a level of discipline, aggression, and identity that Cleveland hadn’t seen in years. His unit didn’t just play well-they took over games.
Losing that kind of leadership on the sideline and in the locker room would be a major setback, especially for a team that’s still figuring things out on offense.
And this tension didn’t come out of nowhere. The Browns’ coaching search was rocky from the start.
Several high-profile candidates reportedly backed out of the process, with some league insiders pointing to internal power dynamics as a red flag. Names like Grant Udinski, Mike McDaniel, and Jesse Minter all exited the race, with Minter eventually taking the head coaching job in Baltimore.
That kind of turnover during a search usually signals deeper issues. And now, with Monken in and Schwartz likely out, those concerns are starting to surface publicly.
Monken, for his part, was reportedly open to keeping Schwartz on as defensive coordinator. But given how things have played out, that door appears to be closing fast. That’s a tough blow for a team that desperately needs continuity on the defensive side of the ball.
Owner Jimmy Haslam had previously voiced strong support for Schwartz, telling reporters earlier this month, “We think a lot of Jim Schwartz.” But when it came time to make the call, that backing didn’t translate into the head coaching job.
Now the Browns are staring down a new dilemma. They filled the vacancy at the top, but in doing so, they may have fractured the foundation that’s kept their defense-and by extension, their team-competitive.
If Schwartz does walk, Cleveland will be forced to replace one of the most respected defensive minds in the game. And that’s not a plug-and-play situation. It’s a high-stakes challenge for a franchise that’s already been through its fair share of turbulence.
The Monken era is officially underway in Cleveland-but it’s off to a rocky start.