The Browns officially introduced new head coach Todd Monken on Tuesday. None of the key figures who spoke to reporters said anything about the future of defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who is under contract through 2026 and reportedly wants to leave after not landing the top job.
“We think of it as Coach Schwartz’s world,” owner Jimmy Haslam said. “I think Jim and Jim’s future is a topic for another day.”
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General Manager Andrew Berry added, “[W]We have a lot of respect for Jim and stuff like that, there’s always going to be a time like this. But this is not a setting. “
Monken repeated the same sentiment about Schwartz’s status: “Jim is a great defensive coordinator, and I think we can all agree on that. But I think it’s a little inappropriate for me to comment on that right now.”
Monken plans to play the same defense with or without Schwartz.
“[M]Our expectation is that we’re not going to change the system,” Monken said. “It’s hard to argue against that — not going to change the system. We are built for the systems they are currently in. I’m not going to discuss staffing issues because now is not the time to discuss that. But they can rest assured that we will keep the same system in place. We’re still going to let them attack; we’re still going to let them play for free. I can’t see any other way.
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“They were a big reason why I took this job, the defensive players. I didn’t take this job because of Jim Schwartz, who I respect as much as I want him to do to me. But I’m telling you, because of the players here, the ownership, Andrew Berry and the ability to build this roster from the ground up offensively. I’ve said this to other guys, I don’t think I’d say that, but I will say that when I was getting ready for the Cleveland Browns, I wasn’t trying to cut to Jim Schwartz, I was trying to cut to Myles Garrett, and when I was sliding protection to the outside backer or Grant Delpit blitzing from the edge, I was sliding protection to the guy, and when I was worried about throwing the ball to the left, I was worrying about throwing the ball to the left.”
Monken said he has spoken with Schwartz, but Monken also reiterated that the team’s defense depends on the players.
“I’m sorry that he’s been an asshole for violating his defense six times over the last three years,” Schwartz said. “Principally, it’s more about the players. Because at the end of the day, it’s the players’ game — that’s it. Our job as coaches is to develop systems that allow players to play faster. People talk about team speed. It’s really not about team speed, it’s about how they perform on the field. To me, it’s about having a plan, or a system — as Coach Harbaugh used to say, elegant and simple, that allows them to perform at a high level and make plays quickly. “That’s what you’ve been seeing with the guys here and the players we have.
“But at the end of the day, I’ve always said this, from an offensive or defensive standpoint, start with elite players and then have an elite coaching staff around you. And then you have the freedom to call plays because of the talent that you have and then because of the coaches that help make it happen. You know, that’s what makes a coordinator elite – it’s not one person. When we were preparing for the Browns in the past – it was more fun not having to do that. “Worrying about going 95 on every at-bat and distance, I can tell you that. “
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It sounds like Monken is happy to move on with another coordinator. And, frankly, he probably prefers it that way. Given the defense’s loyalty to Schwartz and the fact that he was the final candidate for Monken’s job, Monken’s message could be diluted and his authority could be undermined if the defense sees Schwartz instead of Monken as the man in charge.
If that’s the case, why don’t the Browns just release him from his contract? Coordinators can’t trade, so there’s no benefit in seeing if other teams are willing to make trades.
Chances are, as so often happens, it comes down to money. If Schwartz is fired, his new team could pay him less than he deserves this year, leaving the Browns on the hook for the excess. Therefore, Schwartz may be waiting to be fired, and the team may be waiting for him to officially request his release.