Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz is technically under contract with the team, but the coach wants out after the team hired former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken for their vacant head coach position. Schwartz interviewed for the position, but the team ultimately passed on him for Monken with the hope that Schwartz would remain as defensive coordinator.
According to Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports, there is “no chance” Schwartz remains in Cleveland. While the Browns have his contract rights, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports indicates that Cleveland will allow him to leave if he finds another opportunity. That opportunity could come with the San Francisco 49ers, as NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports the San Francisco 49ers could pursue him.
Report: 49ers Could Land Jim Schwartz After Browns Fiasco
The San Francisco 49ers need a new defensive coordinator, and it’s hard to find a better one than Jim Schwartz. While the Cleveland Browns have struggled to win games last year, you can’t blame the lack of success on the defense. Schwartz led a unit that ranked at or near the top of just about every major statistic. Star edge defender Myles Garrett recorded 23 sacks and the secondary slowed down opposing passing attacks.
The 49ers, meanwhile, lost Robert Saleh to the Tennessee Titans. The former New York Jets head coach performed well in 2025, guiding a unit that had to overcome an absurd amount of injuries to the NFC Divisional Round. With no clear replacement waiting in the wings, Jim Schwartz could help this defense maintain its strong play and compete in one of the toughest divisions in football.
Todd Monken, meanwhile, will likely need to search for a new defensive coordinator. This is ironic, as Cleveland reportedly wanted any potential head coach to keep Jim Schwartz on the staff.
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