Defensive Schemes Perfected in Hopes for the Cleveland Browns Rebound

After a disappointing 2024 season that saw the Cleveland Browns miss the playoffs by one game, the team’s front office and coaching staff identified a critical area for improvement: their defensive schemes. A unit that once ranked in the NFL’s top 10 for points allowed had slipped to 22nd, plagued by inconsistent pass rush, lapses in run defense, and struggles to contain mobile quarterbacks. To bounce back in 2025, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and his staff have spent the offseason retooling and perfecting their defensive playbook—focusing on scheme flexibility, player-specific roles, and situational adjustments that leverage the team’s existing talent. Defensive Schemes Perfected in Hopes for the Cleveland Browns Rebound explores the key changes to the Browns’ defense, how they address last season’s flaws, and why these adjustments could be the difference between a rebuild and a playoff push.

Defensive Schemes Perfected in Hopes for the Cleveland Browns Rebound first addresses the team’s struggling pass rush, a weakness that left the secondary exposed for much of 2024. Last season, the Browns recorded just 32 sacks (tied for 24th in the NFL), a sharp drop from their 48 sacks in 2023. To fix this, Schwartz has revamped the team’s pass-rush schemes, moving away from a reliance on one-on-one matchups for star defensive end Myles Garrett and adding more “stunts” and “twists” to create mismatches. These schemes involve linemen swapping positions mid-play—for example, Garrett will line up as a defensive tackle on third down, while defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson loops around to the edge—forcing offensive lines to communicate quickly and often leading to breakdowns. Schwartz has also incorporated more “zone blitzes,” where a linebacker or safety joins the rush, keeping quarterbacks guessing about where pressure is coming from. “We can’t just rely on Myles to win every snap,” Schwartz explained in a spring press conference. “These schemes let us attack from multiple angles, so even if one rusher is blocked, another can get to the quarterback.” Early results from OTAs (Organized Team Activities) have been promising: the Browns’ first-team defense recorded 12 sacks in three scrimmages, with Garrett noting that the new schemes “make it easier to get to the QB without taking unnecessary risks.”

Another critical adjustment to the Browns’ defensive schemes is a more aggressive approach to run defense, which faltered in 2024 when facing zone-read offenses and power-running teams. Last season, the Browns allowed 120.5 rushing yards per game (21st in the NFL), with opposing running backs averaging 4.6 yards per carry—their worst mark in four years. To shore this up, Schwartz has implemented a “gap-control” scheme that assigns each defender a specific gap (A, B, C, or D) to defend, eliminating the cutback lanes that hurt them last season. He’s also added a “run-fit” drill to daily practices, where players practice identifying run plays early and adjusting their positioning to plug gaps before runners can break free. A key part of this scheme is the role of middle linebacker Anthony Walker Jr., who has been tasked with “calling the run” at the line of scrimmage—identifying the formation and signaling to teammates which gaps to cover. “Last year, we were reacting to the run instead of attacking it,” Walker said after a June practice. “This scheme lets us set the tone. We know where the runner is going before he even gets the ball.” The adjustment has already paid off in preseason scrimmages: the Browns held their opponents to just 3.2 yards per carry, with only two runs of 10+ yards in three games.

A defining element of Defensive Schemes Perfected in Hopes for the Cleveland Browns Rebound is the focus on scheme flexibility to contain mobile quarterbacks, a problem that plagued the team in 2024. Last season, the Browns allowed 680 rushing yards to quarterbacks (19th in the NFL), with players like Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts exploiting gaps in the defense on designed runs and scrambles. To counter this, Schwartz has designed a “spy” package where a linebacker (usually Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah) is assigned to shadow the quarterback—staying within arm’s reach on every play, whether the QB drops back to pass or takes off running. The scheme also involves the defensive line staying disciplined in their rush, avoiding overcommitting to the pass and leaving lanes open for scrambles. “Mobile QBs force you to choose between rushing the passer and stopping the run,” Schwartz said. “This spy package lets us do both—we can still pressure the QB, but we have someone dedicated to making sure he doesn’t beat us with his legs.” For the Cleveland Browns, this adjustment is personal: they lost two games to the Baltimore Ravens in 2024, with Jackson rushing for 158 yards and two touchdowns combined. “We can’t let that happen again,” Owusu-Koramoah said. “This scheme gives me the freedom to stay with the QB, and that’s going to change the outcome of those games.”

The Browns have also perfected their secondary schemes to address last season’s struggles with deep passes and tight end coverage. In 2024, the Browns allowed 28 passing touchdowns (22nd in the NFL) and ranked 25th in opponent passer rating (102.3), with opposing tight ends catching 65% of their targets against them. To fix this, Schwartz has shifted from a primarily man-to-man coverage scheme to a “quarters” coverage look—where the field is divided into four zones, with each defensive back responsible for a specific area. This scheme allows the secondary to communicate more effectively, especially when facing spread offenses, and it gives safeties more flexibility to help with tight end coverage. Schwartz has also added more “press-man” coverage on the outside, where cornerbacks like Denzel Ward line up within a yard of wide receivers, disrupting their routes and forcing quarterbacks to hold onto the ball longer (giving the pass rush time to get there). “Our secondary has the talent—we just needed schemes that let them play to their strengths,” Schwartz said. For the Cleveland Browns, this adjustment is critical: Ward is a two-time Pro Bowler, but he was limited by last season’s scheme, which often left him in one-on-one coverage against top receivers without help. “This new coverage lets me be aggressive,” Ward said after a recent practice. “I can press, I can read the QB, and I know the safety has my back if I need it. That’s going to make a huge difference.”

Wrapping up, Defensive Schemes Perfected in Hopes for the Cleveland Browns Rebound highlights the team’s commitment to turning a weakness into a strength through intentional, talent-focused adjustments. By revamping the pass rush, shoring up run defense, containing mobile quarterbacks, and improving secondary coverage, the Browns have created a defensive scheme that’s both aggressive and disciplined—one that plays to the strengths of players like Garrett, Walker, and Ward while hiding the team’s remaining flaws. These changes aren’t just on paper: they’ve been tested in OTAs, refined in training camp, and validated in preseason play. For a team that’s just one game away from the playoffs, these scheme adjustments could be the missing piece. “Defense wins championships, and we’re building a defense that can win in the AFC North,” Schwartz said. For Browns fans, the hope is that these perfected schemes will translate to wins—ending the team’s playoff drought and setting the stage for a deep postseason run. As Garrett put it: “We’re not just perfecting schemes—we’re perfecting our path to the playoffs. And this year, we’re going to get there.” For the Cleveland Browns, the rebound starts on defense—and these schemes are the foundation.