Latest Browns Rumors Update DC Search for Todd Monken's Staff After Jim Schwartz Exit

After the Cleveland Browns lost defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, a candidate has emerged to take his spot on first-year head coach Todd Monken's staff.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Los Angeles Rams assistant head coach and pass game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant will interview with the Browns for their defensive coordinator opening on Monday afternoon. He also reportedly will meet with the Arizona Cardinals for their defensive coordinator job.

The Browns aren't alone in their pursuit of Pleasant, as Rapoport noted that he also will be interviewing with the Arizona Cardinals for their DC position following the hiring of Mike LaFleur as head coach. LaFleur spent the last three years working alongside Pleasant on the Rams staff as offensive coordinator under head coach Sean McVay, so their prior connection could give the Cardinals the advantage in landing him.

Pleasant began his NFL coaching career as an intern with the Cleveland Browns in 2013. He also had coaching stints with the Washington Commanders, Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers. He previously served as the Rams' cornerbacks coach from 2017 to 2020 before rejoining the coaching staff in 2023.

McVay has helped develop Pleasant into a future coaching candidate, giving him head coaching responsibilities in preseason games in each of the last two years.

Schwartz resigned from his position as Cleveland's DC last week. He had interviewed for the team's head coach opening, but was passed over for Monken. ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi reported that he's "now likely to sit out the 2026 season," as he still has one more year on his contract that allows the Browns to block him from being hired as another team's DC.

Pleasant appears to be a rising star in the coaching ranks, so the Browns should do whatever it takes to avoid losing him to the Cardinals or another team.