Jim Schwartz will not be returning to the Cleveland Browns, and his next stop in the NFL may be a long way off.
Schwartz officially tendered his resignation this week, bringing an end to a drawn-out and increasingly awkward chapter for the Browns following the hiring of head coach Todd Monken. Schwartz had been a finalist for the head coaching position before Cleveland ultimately went in a different direction.
“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.”
While Schwartz stepped away from his post, the situation is far from clean. The Browns retain his contractual rights for the next two years, a key detail that quickly fueled speculation that Cleveland could look to trade the disgruntled — but highly respected — defensive coach. That option, however, is not on the table.
Browns Don’t Plan to Let Jim Schwartz Out of Contract
Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reported that Cleveland has no plans to release Schwartz from his deal.
“They announced on Friday that Schwartz, 59, resigned with two years left on his lucrative contract,” Cabot wrote. “The Browns retain his rights, and at this point, have no plans to let him out of his contract. It means he’ll have to sit out these two years unless the two sides reach some kind of resolution.”
Cabot also shut down the idea of a trade, noting that league rules make such a move impossible.
“A coordinator can’t be traded per NFL rules, league spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed for cleveland.com,” Cabot said.
The result leaves Schwartz in professional limbo — no longer on Cleveland’s sideline, but effectively blocked from joining another staff unless the sides reach an agreement to officially part ways.
Todd Monken Credited Browns Players for Stellar Defense
The Browns ranked fourth in the NFL in yards allowed per game (283.6) last season and have been one of the league’s most consistent defensive units. But during his introductory press conference, Monken made it clear he views that success as player-driven — pointing to stars like Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward — rather than Schwartz.
“I didn’t take this job because of Jim Schwartz. I have a lot of respect for Jim Schwartz as I would hope he has for me. But I took it because of the players that are here, the ownership, (general manager) Andrew Berry, and the ability to build this from the ground up on the offensive side,” Monken said. “When I was preparing for the Cleveland Browns, I wasn’t trying to chip Jim Schwartz. I was chipping Myles Garrett. When I was sliding the protection to the outside backers or Grant Delpit blitzing off the edge, I was sliding the protection to the players. And when I was worried about throwing to the right against Denzel Ward or Tyson Campbell to the left, that’s who I was worried about throwing at.”
Whoever takes over the defense will have some significant talent to work with. Ward was a Pro Bowler, Garrett just took home his second Defensive Player of the Year trophy, and linebacker Carson Schwesinger was named the Defensive Rookie of the Year.
