Jim Schwartz's resignation triggered a massive problem for the Cleveland Browns. How do you replace a coach who turned your side into one of the best defenses (4th overall with 283.6 scrimmage yards conceded) in the league? Well, Jimmy Haslam and Andrew Berry might have a plan.

According to the Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot, the franchise has a few names in mind.

"The Browns will immediately begin their search for a new coordinator, with several of their current assistants set to be interviewed, including linebackers coach Jason Tarver and safeties coach Ephraim Banda. Possibly defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire too."

Banda joined the Browns in 2023 and has worked under Schwartz for three years. He does have experience as the defensive coordinator, managing the University of Miami in 2019 and Utah State for a couple of years following that. 

The 44-year-old has been a hot commodity. He has already finished interviews with the New York Jets and the Dallas Cowboys to lead their defensive units. 

Meanwhile, Tarver has been on the Cleveland side for six years, working closely with the former HC Kevin Stefanski. He has had decent success with the Browns as the linebackers coach, developing talents like Carson Schwesinger. 

Unlike Banda, Tarver does have the NFL experience as a DC. He led the Oakland Raiders’ defensive unit from 2012 to the 2014 season.

But that's not all. "The Browns also have two external candidates on the radar who earned Super Bowl rings as assistants under Schwartz in Philadelphia in Texans defensive passing game coordinator Cory Undlin and Texans defensive backs coach Dino Vasso."

The Texans were easily one of the best defensive units last season in the NFL. If the Browns manage to bring one of them on board, with the added bonus of fitting into Schwartz's existing system, the defense may just continue to shine.

What went wrong with Jim Schwartz and the Browns?

According to multiple reports, both parties had a meeting on Monday, as the Cleveland side still intended to keep him.

However, the talks and an offer with an increased paycheck weren't enough to convince him. The Browns also retained his rights for the next season, so that he couldn't apply somewhere else. Unfortunately, Schwartz eventually quit.

During his first presser, Monken touched upon Schwartz's topic. He stated, "My anticipation is we're not gonna change the system. Very difficult to go against. We're built for the system they're in.” 

What do Cleveland fans think about Schwartz's fallout and their search to replace him? Let us know in the comments!

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Written by

Kalp Thaker

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar