The Cleveland Browns' defensive coordinator was reportedly infuriated when he wasn't hired as the team's next head coach.
are now in need of a new defensive coordinator. And there is a prime candidate who may have suddenly become available in the minutes after the vacancy was created.when the Browns elected to hire former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator as their next head coach rather than promote him from within.
And now Schwartz is likely to seek another opportunity rather than return to the Browns, as the team had expected throughout the hiring process.Jim Schwartz, defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills, is carried off the field after the 17-14 win over the Lions at Ford Field, Oct. 5, 2014. | Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press, Detroit Free Press via Imagn Content Services, LLCAccording to reports, Schwartz was in the running for the Browns' job and was among the candidates the team was leaning toward hiring. But instead, they decided on Monken, which Schwartz took exception to. “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,” Pelissero also posted on X, “Schwartz is under contract and Cleveland wants to retain him. But his future is now unclear.” If the Browns are unable to talk Schwartz out of leaving his current position, that would open the door for the Bills to potentially swoop in and solidifyof their own. However, in order to do so, Cleveland would have to be willing to release Schwartz, as they currently hold his contractual rights.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 has been with the Browns for the past three seasons. He helped Cleveland to a phenomenal year defensively, as it allowed the fourth-fewest yards per game in the NFL during the 2025 campaign. The Browns also finished fourth in the league in EPA allowed per play this year, while in his first season as Cleveland DC, the Browns finished atop the league in EPA allowed per play . per Next Gen Stats. Edge rusher Myles Garrett became the new NFL all-time single-season Before his time as Browns defensive coordinator, the longtime NFL coaching veteran spent time with the Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans, Detroit Lions, Bills and Philadelphia Eagles. He was the Lions' head coach from 2009 to 2013 before he joined the Bills as their defensive coordinator during the 2014 season, serving under former head coach Doug Marrone.Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz watches the team warm up before an NFL football game at Huntington Bank Field, Nov. 16, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio. | Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesAlex Brasky is editor of Bills Digest and host of the Buffalo Pregame podcast. He has been on the Bills beat the past six seasons and now joins Sports Illustrated hoping to expand his coverage of Buffalo’s favorite football team.Philip Rivers Makes Decision on NFL Future After Interviewing for Bills' HC Job
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