The Jim Schwartz and Todd Monken saga keeps getting more interesting.

Monken addressed the media for the first time since becoming the head coach of the Browns. And one reporter asked him if his philosophy with the defense and the players would change based on Jim Schwartz's decision to stay or leave.

"I didn’t take this job because of Jim Schwartz. I have a lot of respect for Jim Schwartz, as I would hope he has for me," he said. “When I was preparing for the Cleveland Browns, I wasn’t trying to chip Jim Schwartz, I was chipping Myles Garrett... And when I was worried about throwing to the right against Denzel Ward or Tyson Campbell to the left, that’s who I was worried about throwing at."

Monken's message was clear. While Schwartz may organize the defense, he's there for the players, all of whom had achievements of their own this season.

Myles Garrett became the player with the most sacks in a single season. Denzel Ward joined Garrett in the Pro Bowl, marking himself as another big defensive player of the team.

And this is just the tip of the Browns' defensive iceberg. But the big question is whether they will be as good as they were without the architect of this defense, Jim Schwartz himself? Because NFL insiders report that he is unhappy with the team and might end up leaving.

“He was very upset, and he told everybody, I’m out of here. In fact, our Tom Pelissero reported that Schwartz cleaned out his office,” NFL insider Mike Garafolo said.

All the conversation around Schwartz prompted Jimmy Haslam to give some clarity on the topic.

Jimmy Haslam Reflects on Jim Schwartz's Future With the Browns

Even Haslam failed to give a definitive answer to the question of whether Jim Schwartz would stay with the Browns. He addressed the situation by not really addressing it at all.

"I think Jim and Jim’s future is a subject for another day,” Haslam said

The Browns might want to see that day soon enough because if Schwartz were to leave, the team would need to find another DC as soon as possible. Though that day might not come before the 2027 season.

Schwartz is under contract until the 2026 season. And even if he wants to go, the Browns are unlikely to release him from his contract. They can prevent a move as long as it’s not for a head-coaching job.

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Written by

Reyansh Dubey

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar