CLEVELAND, Ohio — Jim Schwartz’s tenure as the Browns’ defensive coordinator came to a close Friday morning.
He wasn’t fired.
Instead, Schwartz submitted his letter of resignation, despite having two years left on his contract.
This comes a little over a week after he wasn’t selected for the Browns coaching vacancy, which was given to Todd Monken.
During his introductory press conference, Monken stated he has no intention of moving on from Schwartz’s 4-3 defensive scheme.
But without the architect at hand, things may not feel the same.
What kind of legacy does Schwartz leave behind?
No doubt, Schwartz architected one of the NFL’s best defenses.
The pieces were there when arriving in Cleveland in 2023, and he found a way to solve the puzzle.
To really understand the full scope of his impact, we’ll examine his legacy through the lens of analytics and data.
Here’s a look at his body of work through different areas of the defense, from pressure rate to third-down stops, and more.
Note: These are regular-season totals.
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett sacks Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence in 2023.John Kuntz, cleveland.com3
Schwartz’s defense and pressure went together like peanut butter and jelly.
The foot stayed on the gas at all times with no intention of slowing down.
That was reflected in the Browns’ finishing numbers each year and being ranked in the top 10 all three seasons in pressure rate.
Below is their average pressure rate by percentage each season, followed by their ranking in those seasons:
2023: 23.8% (8th)2024: 26.5% (3rd)2025: 26.2% (5th)2
Following up from the previous section, with great pressure comes limiting the pass game.
Your front-four invades the pocket so much that the quarterback is more worried about getting rid of the ball compared to accurately finding a target.
Schwartz’s defense did just that, and it really showed in 2023 when finishing first in fewest total passing yards allowed (2,800).
Twice did Cleveland finish in the top five, in both the 2023 season and 2025, when finishing third (2,843).
Cleveland Browns safety Grant Delpit intercepts a pass against the Green Bay Packers in the second half. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com18
Takeaways always help.
Statistically speaking, the Browns understood that during Schwartz’s first season.
After that, they regressed across the board.
But that 2023 season was a no-fly zone as Cleveland tied for third in interceptions (18), which made up the majority of their 28 total takeaways.
YearInt/RankFum/RankTot/Rank202318 (T-3rd)10 (T-13th)28 (T-3rd)20244 (32nd)8 (T16th)12 (T-30th)202511 (T-16th)7 (T-18th)18 (22nd)
Since the franchise’s return, the 2023 defense became the sixth Browns defense to log 18 or more interceptions in a single season, per StatMuse.
Furthermore, that same squad’s interception rank is the second best in Schwartz’s coaching career, right behind the 2007 Titans, who finished second (22).
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While Cleveland’s defense displayed a strong showing in pass defense, it didn’t translate to the run defense.
Only once did this unit finish above average in fewest rushing yards allowed: in 2023.
After that, their run protection declined.
2023: 105.5 rushing yards (11th)2024: 129.7 rushing yards(21st)2025: 116.4 rushing yards (16th) 
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett.Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com29.13%
A strong layer of the Browns’ defense during Schwartz’s three seasons was how good they were in third-down stops.
Your unit plays hard to prevent a first down within the first two plays, but the third down is always the hardest.
Cleveland was among the best in this area during Schwartz’s time and even led the NFL in opposing third-down conversion percentage in 2023 with 29.13%.
YearOpp. 3rd-down conv/RankOpp. 3rd-down conv %/Rank20233.9 (T-1st)29.13% (1st)20244.8 (13th)36.16% (8th)20254.8 (T-14th)36.28% (T-7th)6
A defense is keeping an eye on every facet and angle within the game plan of the opposing offense.
So, when the game is over and your unit does a superb job of limiting their all-around yardage, that’s noteworthy.
Twice in Schwartz’s three seasons did the defense finish top five in fewest total yards allowed per game.
That includes the 2023 season, where they led the NFL in fewest yards allowed (270.2).
But here’s where that average becomes more impressive.
The six teams who all led the NFL in fewest yardage allowed in their individual seasons, via Pro Football Reference.Pro Football Reference
The 2023 defense is one of six in franchise history to finish first in the NFL in fewest yards allowed.
The most recent time a Browns defense accomplished this was in 1955.
That’s hard-hitting.
Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz against the Baltimore Ravens in the first half. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.comConclusion
Schwartz’s reputation as a defensive mastermind has only risen after what he did with this Browns defense.
He brought the unit out of the ruins and turned it into a contending defense.
It doesn’t matter if the next defense Schwartz takes over is good or bad. What matters is that his blueprint indicates they will only rise from their starting point.
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