CLEVELAND, Ohio (TheOBR.com) Good morning, Cleveland Browns fans!
THE DAILY BLOVIATION
There’s a bit going on in the Cleveland Browns world today, as the team moves inexorably toward the conclusion of the Jim Schwartz saga. The team is taking a bit of criticism from the national press (Jim Rome was particularly harsh), but the pressure doesn’t seem to be affecting them a great deal.
Todd Monken was pretty clear on Tuesday during the press conference that he was willing to move on without Schwartz, despite saying he had respect for him. So why not find another defensive mind (Jason Tarver, perhaps) to take over and move on? Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk thinks it might have to do with money, since some other team could sign Schwartz to a lesser deal and the Browns would be on the hook to pay someone else’s defensive coordinator.
One thing that was swinging the Browns’ way in keeping Schwarz was the notion that there simply weren’t many jobs left for defensive coordinators around the NFL, but SI’s Albert Breer thinks that Klint Kubiak might take a run at him once the Super Bowl is over. Breer things that Tarver and Houston pass-game coordinator Cory Undlin might be possibilities for replacement.
Meanwhile, Cleveland.com plays with the notion that forcing Schwartz to return could create an “explosive situation” in one of their podcast recaps.
REASONABLE EXPECTATIONS: Since the Browns’ braintrust used Kevin Stefanski’s record as their reason for firing him, they naturally got a question during the Monken press conference about expectations for wins in 2026. The response from Haslam was somewhat restrained. Haslam said, “Well, let’s be careful with a lot more, but do I expect we’ll win more games? I do… we’re not going to be ugly to watch”.
The latter part of that statement seems important to Haslam, as Scott Petrak shares in his analysis of Haslam’s expectations. That Haslam appears to be going in with realistic expectations for what will be a young offensive squad with a healthy set of new draft picks.
One of the concerns expressed by many of the high percentage of Browns fans who have descended into cynicism about the team (raises hand) was that Monken might be a doomed one-year coach, harkening back to how Haslam treated Rob Chudzinski. Haslam’s expectations seem to be more controlled than that, offering the hope that Monken will get multiple years to turn things around. Maybe he’ll even get the long-sought-after franchise quarterback somewhere along the way.
IN OTHER NEWS: Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith had some nice things to say about Todd Monken, and his belief that he’ll make an excellent head coach… Rashard “Hollywood” Higgins is making progress in his desire to become an EMT… WR Brandon Aiyuk to the Browns is still being entertained by some sites, including NFL Trade Rumors… CBS Sports says that the Browns should target OT Francis Mauigoa with their sixth pick…
Have a good one! GO BROWNS!
OBR GOODIES
OBR VIDEO
This Side Will Be Up Soon – (youtube.com)
Inside the Browns Beat – (youtube.com)
Garage Beers Live – Episode 300! – (youtube.com)
OBR ARTICLES
Cleveland Browns News and Rumors 2/4/26: Good Morning and Good Luck – WRITER
FROM THE FORUMS
Luke Wypler Injury Status Update ?
Jim Cobern Article on Brian Sipe
Cowboys Hire Browns’ Asst WR Coach
Browns Officially Hire Danny Breyer…
Nathan Zegura interviews Todd Monken. Great watch.
Q Reviews the Monken (& Haslam & Berry) Presser
LiveWire Thread for 24 – Twitter, Video, Articles
By position group how do you think this draft should play out?
THE LIFT
Positive news from the world of sports and beyond…
As Buddhist monks walk across the country in winter weather, Peace Dog Aloka hitches a ride in a warm van – (goodgoodgood.co)
My love of doggos is well established in this section, so here’s another story about a loyal pup who has adopted a group of Buddhist monks and accompanied them on their long “peace walk” this winter. I’m not sure my dog would have the patience for that, and would make the walk 20x more time-consuming by all her I-gotta-sniff-this-thing detours. My dog is weird. This dog is awesome.
WRAPPING UP
When not suspicious of his canine companion’s loyalty, Barry McBride is the Publisher and Founder of the OBR and bloviates this nonsense every morning. You can follow him on Twitter @barrymcbride or write him at barry@theobr.com if you are so compelled.
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
CONTACT Barry to sponsor the OBR. We have plans for nearly any budget!
OBR Across the Internet
Handy Links
Sign up for breaking news text alerts
If you have made it this far, you must subscribe to the OBR. Them’s the rules.
Copyright 2026 WOIO via TheOBR.com. All rights reserved.