It would be fair to say that Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz is not particularly happy with the way that the team’s coaching search played out. Clearly, Schwartz was under the impression he was getting the job and was none too happy to find out it was going to ex-Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken. That’s created the possibility that Schwartz bolts the Browns and needs a replacement.
And ESPN Cleveland radio’s Browns beat reporter Tony Grossi has one in mind: ex-Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, who has gotten consideration as a potential head coach during this hiring cycle. Weaver interviewed with the Cardinals, Ravens, Steelers, Falcons and Buffalo Bills when their jobs were open this month.
Wrote Grossi: “If Jim Schwartz does leave Browns, Anthony Weaver would be a nice rebound as DC for Todd Monken.”
Weaver is a longtime respected defensive line coach who was the Miami defensive coordinator for the past two years. After an excellent showing in 2024, when the Dolphins were fourth in yards allowed and 10th in points, injuries and free agency hurt the unit last year, and it dropped to 22nd in points and 24th in yards.
Jim Schwartz Is Not Happy
For now, the looming question is what will happen with Schwartz, who is still under contract with the Browns. If Cleveland wants to stick to its guns, then Schwartz could be forced to honor his contract and remains as the DC with the Browns, a role in which he thrived last year–Cleveland was fourth in yards and 14th in points, despite having a league-worst offense and terrible special teams that frequently put the D in bad positions.
Pro Football Focus rated the Browns defense No. 2 in the league in 2025.
But on getting the news that the Browns were hiring Monken, Schwartz did not take it well.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero noted, “After the Browns informed DC Jim Schwartz this morning they were passing him over to hire Todd Monken as head coach, Schwartz was visibly upset, said goodbyes in the building and told other coaches he’s not coming back, sources tell The Insiders. Schwartz is under contract and Cleveland wants to retain him. But his future is now unclear.”
Browns Bungled the Head Coach Hiring Process
More such reports kept coming in after the Monken news was announced by the Browns.
As insider Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network wrote on Twitter/X: “Browns DC Jim Schwartz, informed that the team was hiring Todd Monken over him, has told those close to him that he’s out, per The Insiders. Cleveland would like to retain Schwartz, who is under contract. The respected DC may have other plans. He’s coveted.”
But the Browns still have Schwartz’s contract. It’s possible he could be traded to another team that wants to hire him, though a team sending draft compensation for a coordinator would be an eye-opening move.
Or the Browns could force Schwartz back to an organization he does not to be in, and working for a coach he does not want to work it.
Either way, it is a very bad look for the Browns, who will have to explain to defensive players who like Schwartz why they did what they did. The team will soon have a press conference to announce Monken’s hire, and much of that meeting will be spent answering Schwartz questions. The Browns have all but guaranteed themselves a rocky transition into the next coaching staff.
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