Jim Schwartz Resigns as Browns DC After Todd Monken Landed HC Contract, Who Are Top Replacements?

Just over one week after the Cleveland Browns opted to go with Todd Monken as their new head coach, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has left the organization.

Per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, Schwartz opted to resign from his position after expressing that he was unhappy about being passed over by the Browns in favor of the former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator.

Both Garafolo and ESPN's Adam Schefter noted Schwartz is expected to sit out the 2026 season rather than try to find a job with another team.

Schwartz, Monken and Los Angeles Rams passing game coordinator Nathan Scheelhaase were the three head-coaching finalists for Cleveland.

The argument in favor of Schwartz was his familiarity with their players and the success of the defense since he took over as coordinator prior to the 2023 season. They ranked in the top 10 in defensive DVOA twice in the past three seasons, including eighth in 2025.

Monken wound up being the one hired by the Browns on Jan. 28. He told reporters during his introductory press conference on Feb. 3 that they intend to keep the same defensive system regardless of who is coordinating that unit.

After Monken's hiring, Schwartz reportedly told other Browns coaches he wasn't coming back as he was saying goodbye to them.

As for the Browns' next steps, their defensive coordinator position would seem to be one that holds a lot of appeal for coaches around the league. Myles Garrett just won Defensive Player of the Year for the second time in his career after setting a single-season record with 23 sacks in 2025.

The Browns also have the 2025 Defensive Rookie of the Year winner Carson Schwesinger.

If Monken stays true to his word about maintaining a similar defensive system, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport cited Houston Texans defensive assistants Dino Vasso and Cory Undlin as two candidates the Browns could hire.

Both Vasso and Undlin worked on the defensive staff with the Philadelphia Eagles when Schwartz was their coordinator from 2016 to 2020. Vasso's tenure overlapped entirely with Schwartz's time.

Undlin was on staff with the Eagles in 2015 and remained in place through the 2019 season before he left to become defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions in 2020.