Cleveland Browns: The Schwartz Won’t Be with Them in 2026

As frequently noted, the Cleveland Browns 2025 season was a mash-up of quarterback confusion, special teams failures, and an elite, top ranking defence.

That’s right, elite. The statistics don’t lie.

• Ranked 1st in the NFL in Total Yards Allowed with just 204.3 yards per game.

• Ranked 3rd in Passing Yards Allowed, giving up only 167.2 yards per game.

• When it comes to PFF Grades, the Browns’ defensive line was number 1 overall, number 1 in pass rush, and number 1 in run defense.

Just in case those stats don’t shout loudly enough for the people in back, consider the fact that two Browns’ defenders, Myles Garrett and Carson Schwesinger received prestigious accolades at the NFL Honors Ceremony.

Garrett was the unanimous choice for NFL Defensive Player of the Year and Schwesinger received 40 out of 50 votes to win the 2025 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

In addition to his second DPOY award, Garrett set a new NFL single-season sack record with 23 sacks. Schwesinger, after being selected as Defensive Rookie of the Year, also joined teammate Mason Graham (DT) on the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) 2025 All-Rookie team.

While performing at such a high level shows us these men are talented and committed to excellence, their success also points to a strong infrastructure, led by a top-tier Defensive Coordinator. Namely, Jim Schwartz.

Schwartz’s Impact

The Cleveland Browns hired Jim Schwartz in January 2023. Prior to this, Joe Woods served as the Browns’ DC from 2020 to 2022. Woods’ defense lacked the consistency of Schwartz-led units. Late-game collapses were commonplace, and their game against the run was appalling. The 2022 Browns D had the highest expected points per rush rate in the NFL over the last decade.

Schwartz seemed tailor-made to lead the Browns’ defense. Implementing a 4-3 scheme, he focused on the “wide nine” alignment, which gave edge rushers a better angle and increased their speed. Schwartz promoted an aggressive trench-style defense, devoid of fancy, complicated coverage.

The difference in the Browns’ defense under Schwartz was noticeable immediately. In the 2023 season, he helped his players rank number one in total and passing yards. And while the Browns offense suffered for numerous reasons- including a massive failure in judgment by signing Deshaun Watson- the defensive unit continued to grow stronger and more effective with Schwartz at the helm.

Once the Browns’ top brass made its dubious decision, passing over Schwartz for the vacant Head Coach position, the writing was on the wall. Shortly after hiring Todd Monken as the new Head Coach, the front office received Schwartz’s resignation.

The Hunt for a New Defensive Coordinator

Losing Jim Schwartz as DC is a significant hit that the Browns organization must recover from quickly. Here are three potential candidates that may prove to be the answer to the Browns’ newest staff vacancy.

• Jason Tarver, Browns Linebackers Coach

The obvious benefit of promoting from within the Browns’ organization is to keep some remnants of Schwartz’s successful tenure intact. Players, including Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward, were outspoken in their support of their DC. Having one of his staff could help maintain the elite defense.

Tarver is the lone member of Schwartz’s staff with experience as a defensive coordinator. Additionally, he played a significant part in developing highly successful linebackers for the Browns. Case in point, the 2025 Defensive Rookie of the Year, Carson Schwesinger, flourished under Tarver’s direction.

• Ephraim Banda, Browns Safeties Coach

Another potential in-house hire could be Ephraim Banda. While he has no NFL experience in the DC position, he has been with Schwartz in Cleveland since the beginning. It is also tough to disregard his decade- plus of work at the collegiate level.

• Joe Cullen, Kansas City Chiefs Defensive Line Coach

If the Browns opt to look outside Berea, one potential candidate could be Joe Cullen, the Chiefs’ D-line coach. He spent 2013 as the Browns’ defensive line coach and served as the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Defensive Coordinator. He also has a wealth of experience as the DC for several college teams. Cullen recently interviewed for the same position for the Baltimore Ravens, so the interest in moving on from KC is there.

A strong positive point is that Cullen has coached Chris Jones on Kansas City’s defensive line. It is possible that he can translate his experience coaching Jones into working with Myles Garrett.

There are few things in life as certain as the Cleveland Browns’ propensity to act against their own best interest. The debacle with Schwartz is more Haslam dysfunction. It was Schwartz who brought the best out of a talented bunch of guys. He won’t be easy to replace. When new Head Coach Todd Monken says “So, there is no timeline to get it [hiring a Defensive Coordinator] right.” hopefully, he remembers that the 2026 preseason is just about six months away.