Former Eagles safeties coach Cory Undlin worked with former defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, helping the Eagles win Super Bowl LII. Now, Undlin could replace Schwartz as the Cleveland Browns’ defensive coordinator after Schwartz resigned from the position.
According to Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot, the Browns put in a formal request with the Houston Texans to interview Undlin, who has been the Texans’ defensive passing game coordinator since 2023.
Undlin previously coached for the Browns from 2005 to 2008, working his way up from defensive quality control coach to defensive backs coach. He also had stints with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Denver Broncos before joining the Eagles in 2015, where he was Schwartz’s defensive backs coach from 2016 to 2019.
The Browns interest in Undlin makes sense, especially after new Browns head coach Todd Monken expressed his desire to keep the same defensive scheme that led to the unit’s success last season.
The Browns finished fourth in the league in total defense, allowing 283.6 yards per game. They also ranked third in pass defense (167.2 yards per game) and recorded 53 sacks. They still have defensive end Myles Garrett, the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year.
Schwartz was one of the finalists for the head coaching job, but the Browns hired Monken, the former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator replacing Kevin Stefanski, who was fired after the regular season ended. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Schwartz was not happy with the decision, appearing “visibly upset.” He eventually resigned and is expected to sit out the 2026 season.