Cleveland's head coaching search has a new front-runner.

A strict requirement from owner Jimmy Haslam is reportedly pushing defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz to the top of the list. This move could solve one problem while creating another.

NFL Insiders have widely reported that the Browns' owner has refused candidates like Nate Scheelhaase and others to pick a defensive coordinator. This has made them hesitant to move forward with the team.

Browns beat Journalist, Mary Kay Cabot, also reported the other day that, "Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz seems to be gaining momentum in their head coach search," as per her source.

The decision could work wonders for the team as players like Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward, and Grant Delpit have said that they’d love to have Schwartz as their head coach. Plus, he has taken the Browns' defense from rags to riches since he joined in 2023.

With him as DC, they have not allowed a 300-yard passer in 45 games, the longest active streak in the NFL. This season, they have allowed just 283.6 total yards per game (4th-fewest) and 167.2 passing yards per game (3rd-fewest). Plus, he has the head coach experience as well.

Jim Schwartz was the head coach of the Detroit Lions from 2009-2013. He took over an 0-16 team and led them to the playoffs three seasons later with a 10-6 mark. That was his only winning season with the team and the Lions fired him in 2013 after a 29-51 overall record.

He has coached some of the strongest defenses in the NFL, including one that helped the Eagles win the Super Bowl after the 2017 season.

But the problem is that if the Browns promote him to the head coach, who will be the DC?

Who Would Replace Jim Schwartz as the Browns’ DC?

With Schwartz as the DC this season, Cleveland finished third in the league with 53 sacks, setting a new franchise record. If they make him the head coach, the Browns would be forced to look for a new defensive coordinator. Who would that be?

Mary Kay Cabot wrote in her report, "As for the defensive coordinator, safeties coach Ephraim Banda, who interviewed for the Jets and Cowboys defensive coordinator vacancies, would be a possibility to fill Schwartz’s role if he’s promoted."

Banda was the Defensive Coordinator at Utah State and helped the team win the Mountain West Championship and finish 11-3 in his first season. Under the defense held each of its final three opponents to 13 or fewer points. doing so for the first time since 1983.

Let us know your thoughts about him.

Written by

Reyansh Dubey

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu