The Cleveland Browns are adding longtime NFL coach Dom Capers to the coaching staff as a senior defensive assistant, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Capers, 75, is a two-time head coach, was last with the Carolina Panthers as a senior defensive assistant.

Capers knows Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy well, as he was his defensive coordinator in Green Bay from 2009 to 2017.

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Capers was the Steelers defensive coordinator under Bill Cowher from 1992 to 1994. After the 1994 season, Capers moved on to the Carolina Panthers, becoming the first head coach of the expansion team.

Capers was with the Panthers from 1995 to 1998. His best season in Carolina was in 1996, leading the Panthers to a 12-4 season and an appearance in the NFC Championship Game. Capers was named Associated Press Coach of the Year.

Capers’ second stint as a head coach came with the Houston Texans in 2002, who were also an expansion team. He did not have much success, however, posting a 18-46 regular-season record (.281 win percentage) in his four seasons in Houston.

Jim Schwartz resigned as the Cleveland Browns’ defensive coordinator earlier this month.

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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. The Browns hired Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken instead.

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.

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The Browns new defensive coordinator is Mike Rutenberg. He was previously the Atlanta Falcons defensive pass game coordinator.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Ex-Steelers Defensive Coordinator Joins Browns Coaching Staff

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