The Cleveland Browns introduced Todd Monken as the new head coach on Tuesday, and it came with plenty of interesting questions about this change in direction for the franchise. 

Now that Monken is in place and he’s put together much of his offensive staff, a lot of the attention is now on what happens with defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. 

Todd Monken sets the record straight regarding Jim Schwartz 

Monken is much different than Kevin Stefanski in press conferences and that’s very easy to see from his first one. The Browns’ new head coach made it clear that the defensive players are what drives this defense on Monday. 

“They’re a big reason why I took this job, the defensive players,” Monken said on Tuesday afternoon.”I didn’t take this job cause of Jim Schwartz. I have a lot of respect for Jim Schwartz, as I would hope he has for me.

“When I was preparing for the Cleveland Browns, I wasn’t trying to chip Jim Schwartz. I chipped Myles Garrett.”

The answer in itself catches attention as one that may be foreshadowing Schwartz not returning. Schwartz was passed over in the search for a head coach when the Browns decided on Monken. Being a finalist and not getting the job didn’t sit well with the defensive coordinator. 

Cleveland has the pieces in place to maintain an elite defense no matter who its coordinator is. Monken made it clear that he expects the system to stay the same no matter who the coordinator is due to the players in place.

It remains a waiting game to see what is going to happen with the defensive coordinator spot for the Browns. Schwartz remains under contract for two years with the Browns, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to be on the sidelines in 2026. 

Cleveland Browns News

Clues surfacing on what’s going to happen with Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz following the hiring of Todd Monken

The Browns may be keeping DC Jim Schwartz around after all.

Brandon Little