The Cleveland Browns are clearly serious about their future, as they've just wrapped up a second interview with defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz for the coveted head coach position. This move signals a strong interest in Schwartz, who initially interviewed on January 8th. He's the first candidate to get a second look, showing how highly the Browns view his potential.
Schwartz, at 59 years old, has been a key figure for the Browns for three seasons as their defensive coordinator. Interestingly, his journey with the Browns began much earlier, as he was a college/pro scout for the team from 1993 to 1995, before returning in 2023.
And here's where it gets interesting: Under Schwartz's leadership, the Browns' defense has been absolutely dominant. They've ranked first in a slew of crucial defensive categories. These include total yards per game allowed, opponent first downs allowed per game, third and fourth down conversion percentages, total passing yards per game allowed, first downs per pass attempt, and team tackles for a loss. They also rank third in team sacks and are tied for second with eight defensive touchdowns.
Looking at the numbers from the 2025 regular season, the Browns were once again near the top of the league. They allowed the fourth-fewest total yards per game (283.6 yards) and the third-fewest passing yards per game (167.2 yards). Furthermore, they finished third in the league with 53 sacks, setting a franchise record. A key player, DE Myles Garrett, even broke the NFL single-season sack record with 23 sacks.
The Browns' defense has also achieved a remarkable feat: they've gone 45 straight games without allowing a 300-yard passer. This is the longest active streak in the NFL and the longest by any team since the Colts' 52-game streak from 2005-2008.
But here's where it gets controversial... Schwartz isn't just a defensive mastermind; he also brings head coaching experience to the table. He was the head coach for the Detroit Lions from 2009 to 2013. In 2011, he led the Lions to a 10-6 record, marking their first postseason appearance since 1999. That year, the Lions' defense led the NFL with seven return touchdowns (five interceptions and two fumbles).
With 29 years of NFL coaching experience, including 17 seasons as a defensive coordinator, Schwartz has a wealth of knowledge. He's previously held the defensive coordinator role with the Titans (2001-2008), Bills (2014), and Eagles (2016-2020). He even helped the Eagles win Super Bowl LII and led the NFL in rush defense that season, allowing just 79.2 yards per game.
Do you think Schwartz is the right choice for the Browns? Considering his impressive defensive record, and previous head coaching experience, is he the missing piece to take the Browns to the next level?
