Kevin Stefanski has finally been fired. While everybody saw that coming, the big question is who will fill his shoes?

The Browns have given General Manager Andrew Berry the responsibility of finding the new coach, and he dropped two names in the press conference yesterday: Jim Schwartz and Tommy Rees.

"Jim's an outstanding football coach. We have a lot of respect for him, a lot of appreciation for him. And he has certainly earned the right for consideration," said Berry, who many thought would be shown the door alongside Stefanski.

"But that's something that we still have to discuss, and obviously discuss with him," added Berry.

Schwartz has been the defensive coordinator of the Browns since January 2023. Under his leadership in 2023, the Browns finished first in the NFL in total defense, allowing just 270.2 yards per game, the fewest in the league.

They also ranked first in passing defense with only 164.7 yards allowed per game and led the league in limiting opponents on third downs (29.1%). He also won the Associated Press 2023 NFL Assistant Coach of the Year award.

Berry also said, "And Tommy, he's a very talented young coordinator. He's held in very high regard, not just in college football, but across the NFL. But again, those are discussions that we have to continue to have."

Rees joined the Browns as the pass game specialist & tight ends coach in 2024. Then the team promoted him to the offensive coordinator in 2025. While the offense might have been the weakest spot for the Browns this season, Rees has led Alabama’s offense to an SEC title and CFP semifinal in his only season there.

It might not be a bad idea for the team to pick up someone from the team itself as a replacement for Kevin Stefanski.

Jim Schwartz has more support as the next Browns head coach

It is not Andrew Berry alone who has talked about Schwartz as the next potential head coach of the Browns. Fans have been buzzing it on social media for a long time, and even Denzel Ward supported the notion.

"So much love and respect for Coach Schwartz. Me, I would highly recommend Coach Schwartz for a head coaching job. Here, definitely like I said, Coach Schwartz, he's a great coach. He's helped my game tremendously. Puts us in a great position, great leader."

He continued, "And I can't say enough great things about him. But I think he's a guy that when you think of who you want in a coach and somebody to lead a team, and yeah, I know he's a guy, he's a great guy."

Schwartz has been the head coach of the Detroit Lions from 2009 to 2013, and if you compare it to Kevin Stefanski's time with the Browns, the two are very similar. He took over after the Lions went 0-16 and led them to a 10–6 season and a playoff appearance in 2011.

However, the team regressed significantly, going 4-12 in 2012 and 7-9 in 2013, missing the playoffs in both years. His overall record as a head coach was 29-51. Schwartz had only one winning season in his five years there.

Tell us what you think about him as the HC candidate in the comments.

Written by

Reyansh Dubey

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi