As noted by ESPN Cleveland and other outlets, Cleveland Browns star pass-rusher Myles Garrett shared a cryptic post via Instagram not long after the club confirmed it had hired Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken instead of Cleveland defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz as its next head coach.
A Wednesday report revealed that Schwartz said “his goodbyes” to people within the Browns facility after being passed over for the head-coaching job. However, NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated indicated that the Browns aren’t giving up on possibly retaining Schwartz’s services.
Browns hoping Jim Schwartz just needs a little time away?
“The next piece to the puzzle in Cleveland is DC Jim Schwartz, who remains under contract but wasn’t pleased after being passed over for the head job,” Breer wrote about the Browns’ hiring of Monken. “Schwartz can be strong-willed and march to the beat of his own drummer. He’ll be in demand if he’s available. And I wouldn’t rule out the idea that he sits the year out if he gets dug in on not coaching on Monken’s staff in 2026. For now, my feeling would be the Browns let things cool off, then try to get him back.”
ESPN stats show that the Browns finished this past regular season ranked fourth in the league with an average of 283.6 total yards allowed per game under Schwartz. Stories have linked Schwartz with the San Francisco 49ers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, among other potential landing spots, but it’s unclear if the Browns will let Schwartz out of his deal so he can interview elsewhere.
Why Browns may be eager to hold onto Jim Schwartz
Schwartz’s popularity among members of the Cleveland defense has caused some to wonder if Monken could soon be dealing with a roster mutiny. Specifically, Garrett went public with a trade request last February amid his frustrations with the state of the franchise. While the 30-year-old later signed a four-year, $160M contract extension that included $123.5M guaranteed and a no-trade clause to stay with Cleveland, that deal reportedly is tradable.
It certainly seems to outsiders that Garrett isn’t thrilled that Schwartz wants to leave the Browns. One wonders what Garrett may have to say about the situation during Super Bowl week media appearances.
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