Jim Schwartz will not return as Browns DC for 2026 season

Rapoport, Pelissero and Garafolo reported on Friday that the Browns attempted to convince Schwartz to remain on Monken’s staff but it was not to be.

Because he’s under contract, Schwartz is not a free agent and is not eligible to take another DC job, per The Insiders.

Monken was asked about Schwartz’s status earlier in the week during his introductory news conference.

“I think Jim is an outstanding defensive coordinator, I think we all would agree with that,” Monken told reporters on Tuesday. “But I think it’s a little inappropriate for me to comment about that at this time.”

In his three seasons with the Browns, Schwartz twice helmed a top-four defense in yards allowed. His unit often was the lone bright spot in a dismal 2025 campaign, and Cleveland saw Myles Garrett break the single-season sack record and win Defensive Player of the Year, while linebacker Carson Schwesinger was named Defensive Rookie of the Year on Thursday at NFL Honors.

Monken acknowledged on Tuesday that part of the appeal of the Browns job was the talent on the team’s defense, and that he intended to keep the status quo in Cleveland from a schematic perspective.

“My anticipation is we’re not going to change the system,” Monken said. “Very difficult to go against — not planning on changing the system. We’re built for the system that they’re in currently.”

To that point, Rapoport reported on Friday that the team could look at assistants under Texans DC Matt Burke, a Schwartz disciple, to fill their vacant position with Houston DBs coach Dino Vasso and defensive passing game coordinator Cory Undlin as options.