Browns ‘failing’ successfully? Why Jim Schwartz is the best hire afterall originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Cleveland Browns coaching search has devolved into a comedy of errors…and it might be the best thing to ever happen for GM Andrew Berry.
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On Monday, the Browns traveled to Los Angeles and held a marathon, seven-hour sit down with Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase.
The presumed goal was to sign the Sean McVay student. The result? The meeting ended without a deal and he interviewed with the Buffalo Bills the same night. This comes on the heels of Mike McDaniel, Grant Udinski, and Jesse Minter all pulling their names from consideration, leaving Cleveland looking like the date no one wants to take to prom.
However, in the world of the “same old Browns,” this unintentional disaster is clearing the path for the man who should have been the choice all along: Jim Schwartz.
Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
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The Tale of the Tape: Experience vs. Potential
While Berry is enamored with the “next young genius” in the 35-year-old Scheelhaase, the locker room is already sold on old school Schwartz. Here is why failing into their own defensive coordinator is actually a massive win:
Jim Schwartz
Nate Scheelhaase
Experience
19 years as NFL DC / 5 years as HC
2 years in NFL (Pass Game Coordinator)
Track Record
Super Bowl LII Champion (Eagles DC)
Part of Rams 2025 NFC finalist staff under Sean McVay
Local Impact
Led Browns to Top 5 Defense (2023, 2025)
No previous ties to Cleveland roster
Player Support
Publicly backed by Denzel Ward & Myles Garrett
Unknown “CEO” potential
The Verdict
Scheelhaase is a flashy gamble with zero coordinator experience. Schwartz is a proven commodity who already knows how to fix the culture in Berea. If the “hot” candidates keep saying no, owner Jimmy Haslam might accidentally trip and fall into the most qualified coach on the market.
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