The Cleveland Browns had a long search for their next head coach, which landed on 59-year-old first-timer Todd Monken. 

Hiring Monken came with some fallout for the Browns. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz was a finalist for the job, and being passed over reportedly upset him. 

While it may have looked like things are over for the Browns and Schwartz, they may not be after all. 

Cleveland and Jim Schwartz may not be done after all 

The biggest key for the Browns is that Schwartz is under contract for the next two seasons. Cleveland would have to either let Schwartz out of his contract or he would have to sit out. The veteran defensive coach can’t just go take another DC job elsewhere. 

A job that had been connected to Schwartz was the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator opening. San Francisco has hired former Atlanta Falcons HC Raheem Morris to call their defense. According to Nick Wagoner of ESPN, the 49ers didn’t feel that Schwartz would be leaving Cleveland.

RE: Jim Schwartz: #49ers were interested just as many teams are/were.

But didn’t get the sense from anyone that he’d shake loose from Cleveland. Too much uncertainty there to ignore a strong, well liked candidate available now.

— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) February 1, 2026

The Browns’ offensive staff is coming together, while the defensive staff may be in place 

Monken has been building out his coaching staff, but there have been no defensive additions. That’s because the Browns expect Schwartz and his current staff to stick around. Cleveland keeping continuity is big for its defense. 

Cleveland is expected to hire Mike Bajakian as the quarterbacks coach and Jeff Blasko to coach tight ends. Daniel Stern is set to be the associate head coach. Travis Switzer is set to be the next offensive coordinator hire for the Browns. 

All signs point to Schwartz returning to the Browns. Time heals all (most of the time), and that could be the case here.