The Cleveland Browns have finally landed their next head coach - former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken - but the move may have sparked more problems than it solved.
Monken’s hiring ends what had become a drawn-out, turbulent search, one that saw multiple top candidates pull their names from consideration. Some opted for lesser roles elsewhere, while others walked away late in the process.
Around the league, word spread that internal power struggles within the Browns’ organization were a red flag. And now, those same dynamics appear to be creating friction inside the building.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the tension was immediate. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz - the architect of one of the league’s most dominant defenses - was not happy with the decision. In fact, he was reportedly so upset that he said his goodbyes to staff and told fellow coaches he doesn’t plan to return.
Let’s be clear: Schwartz is still under contract, and the Browns want to keep him. But right now, his future in Cleveland is murky at best.
Pelissero reported that Schwartz was visibly emotional after being informed that the team had chosen Monken over him for the head coaching job. That emotional response wasn’t just about disappointment - it may signal the departure of the man who helped turn Cleveland’s defense into a powerhouse. And if Schwartz walks, the Browns could be staring at a major setback on that side of the ball.
This isn’t just about losing a coach - it’s about potentially dismantling the identity of a defense that carried the Browns through rough stretches. Schwartz’s unit was elite.
Physical. Smart.
Relentless. And in a league where defensive consistency is rare, Cleveland had something special.
But the signs of trouble had been building long before Monken’s hiring became official. Multiple candidates reportedly backed out of the coaching search due to concerns about internal dynamics - specifically, Schwartz’s influence within the organization.
Among those who exited the process were Grant Udinski, Mike McDaniel, and Jesse Minter. Minter, notably, went on to take the Ravens’ head coaching job.
Despite all of that, Monken was reportedly open to keeping Schwartz on as defensive coordinator. That door now appears to be closed. Schwartz’s reaction - walking out, telling colleagues he doesn’t plan to return - makes it hard to imagine a reconciliation.
And that’s a tough pill to swallow for a franchise that had finally found some defensive stability. Owner Jimmy Haslam had publicly backed Schwartz earlier this month, saying, “We think a lot of Jim Schwartz.”
But that support didn’t translate into the top job. And now, it might not be enough to keep him in the building.
So here’s where things stand: The Browns have their new head coach in Todd Monken, a respected offensive mind with a strong résumé. But in landing him, they may have fractured their defensive foundation. If Schwartz walks, Cleveland will have to replace a leader who commanded the locker room and delivered results on the field.
Hiring a head coach is supposed to provide clarity. In this case, it might’ve created more questions than answers.