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Jim Schwartz has resigned as the Cleveland Browns’ defensive coordinator, it was announced on Friday.
According to the Browns, Jim Schwartz submitted his resignation letter on Thursday.
“Yesterday, Jim Schwartz submitted his letter of resignation as defensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns,” the team said in a statement. “We’d like to thank Jim for his contributions to our organization over the last three seasons. Our search for a new defensive coordinator will begin immediately.”
Schwartz was reportedly visibly upset, said goodbyes in the building and told other coaches he’s not coming back after he was passed on for the head coach position.
Following the reports of Schwartz wanting out, Browns All-Pro edge rusher Myles Garrett posted a simple message on Instagram, hinting that he’s tired of the mismanagement by the Browns’ front office.
In Schwartz’s three-year tenure as the Browns’ DC, Cleveland led the league in in yards allowed, first downs, third-down conversion percentage and tackles for loss, according to Scott Petrak of the Browns Zone. In 2025, the Browns’ defense ranked fourth in yards allowed (283.6 per game), third in pass defense (167.2) and set a franchise record with 53 sacks.
Myles Garrett was named the unanimous NFL Defensive Player of the Year and Carson Schwesinger was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2025.
According to the Browns, Jim Schwartz submitted his resignation letter Thursday. So on the same day, Myles Garrett was named the unanimous NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Carson Schwesinger was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and Schwartz quit. https://t.co/0xlMkrQFro
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 6, 2026
Instead of hiring Schwartz, the Browns hired former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken as their next head coach. Monken was the Browns’ OC in 2019 under Freddie Kitchens, so he’s a familiar face to the organization.
Monken, who turned 60 on Thursday, replaces Kevin Stefanski as the Browns’ HC. Stefanski was in Cleveland for six seasons before being fired on Jan. 5 after a 5-12 campaign.
This will be Monken’s first NFL head coaching opportunity. He previously served as a head coach at the college level from 2013-15 at Southern Miss. He was also the OC and QBs coach at Georgia from 2020–22, when the Bulldogs won two College Football Playoff National Championships.
Monken served as the Baltimore Ravens OC the last three years, igniting a lethal rushing attack with quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry. Under Monken’s stewardship, Jackson was named NFL MVP in 2023 for the second time in his career.
Mentioned In This Article: AFC North Cleveland Browns Jim Schwartz Myles Garrett Pittsburgh Steelers Steelers Steelers News Todd Monken