Defensive Coordinator's Future Uncertain with the Cleveland Browns

As the Cleveland Browns limp toward the end of a disappointing 2025 season, the spotlight is increasingly turning to the future of defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Hired in 2023 to revitalize a stagnant defense, Schwartz initially delivered results—guiding the unit to a top-10 finish in total defense in his first year. But this season’s dramatic slide, combined with the team’s fading playoff hopes and growing calls for a rebuild, has cast doubt on whether he’ll be back in 2026. From defensive inconsistencies to fan backlash on social media, a perfect storm of challenges has left Schwartz’s tenure hanging in the balance. Defensive Coordinator's Future Uncertain with the Cleveland Browns explores the factors threatening Schwartz’s job, the arguments for keeping him, and how his fate could shape the Browns’ defensive identity for years to come.

Defensive Coordinator's Future Uncertain with the Cleveland Browns begins with the most damning evidence: the Browns’ defensive collapse in 2025. After ranking 10th in total defense and 8th in sacks last season, the unit has plummeted to 21st in total defense and 24th in points allowed per game this year. The run defense, once a strength, has been particularly porous, allowing 118 yards per game (18th in the NFL) and 19 rushing touchdowns—more than all but three teams. Critical lapses in key moments have also defined the season: in Week 10, the defense surrendered 24 unanswered points in the second half to blow a 14-point lead against the Cincinnati Bengals; in Week 13, they gave up a game-winning touchdown with 45 seconds left to the Jacksonville Jaguars. “This isn’t the defense we saw last year,” said a former NFL defensive coach, now a local analyst. “Schwartz’s scheme relies on discipline and execution, but this year’s unit has been prone to mental mistakes—missed assignments, blown coverages, lazy tackling. When that happens, the coordinator is the one who takes the fall.”

Defensive Coordinator's Future Uncertain with the Cleveland Browns delves into the impact of injuries on the defense—and whether Schwartz has done enough to adapt. The Browns have lost key players like defensive tackle Maliek Collins (quad strain) and linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (torn biceps) for extended periods, forcing backups into larger roles. Schwartz has argued that injuries have derailed his game plan, noting that the team’s depth was thinner than expected. But critics counter that elite coordinators find ways to adjust, pointing to teams like the Baltimore Ravens, who’ve maintained a top-five defense despite their own injury issues. “Injuries are an excuse, not a reason,” said one Browns beat writer. “Schwartz has stuck rigidly to his base scheme instead of simplifying things for younger players. When your backup defensive tackle is a rookie, you can’t run the same complex blitz packages you use with a Pro Bowler like Collins.” This failure to adapt has frustrated both players and team brass, with sources close to the organization noting that head coach Kevin Stefanski has privately questioned Schwartz’s in-game adjustments.

Defensive Coordinator's Future Uncertain with the Cleveland Browns examines how the Cleveland Browns’ growing rebuild narrative is further endangering Schwartz’s job. As social media trends and fan forums increasingly call for a full roster overhaul, Schwartz—who is 62 and has been an NFL coordinator for over 20 years—doesn’t fit the “young, innovative” profile many fans associate with a rebuild. The Browns’ front office, led by general manager Andrew Berry, has signaled a desire to infuse youth into the organization, and that could extend to the coaching staff. “If the Browns decide to tear it down and rebuild around young players, they’ll likely want a coordinator who specializes in developing talent,” said a league source with ties to the Browns. “Schwartz is a proven winner, but his style is more about winning now than grooming rookies. That mismatch could be fatal for his future here.” For the Cleveland Browns, Schwartz’s fate is also tied to Stefanski’s: if Stefanski survives the season (another open question), he may push to keep Schwartz to maintain continuity; if Stefanski is fired, the new head coach will almost certainly bring in his own defensive coordinator.

Defensive Coordinator's Future Uncertain with the Cleveland Browns explores the arguments in favor of keeping Schwartz—and why some within the organization are hesitant to let him go. Despite this season’s struggles, Schwartz has a track record of success: he turned the Philadelphia Eagles’ defense into a Super Bowl-winning unit in 2017, and he quickly improved the Browns’ defense in 2023. He also has the respect of key players, including star defensive end Myles Garrett, who has publicly defended him. “Coach Schwartz knows how to get the best out of me,” Garrett said in a recent interview. “This season has been tough, but a lot of that is on us as players, not him. We need to execute better.” Schwartz has also shown a willingness to adapt off the field, working closely with the front office to identify defensive talent in the draft. For the Cleveland Browns, firing Schwartz would mean starting over with a new defensive scheme—a risky move for a team already in flux. “Changing coordinators means a new playbook, new terminology, new habits,” said the former NFL defensive coach. “That can set a defense back a year, which the Browns can’t afford if they want to compete soon.”

Defensive Coordinator's Future Uncertain with the Cleveland Browns wraps up with the timeline for a decision—and what it means for the Cleveland Browns’ defensive future. The Browns are expected to evaluate Schwartz’s performance carefully during the offseason, with a final call likely coming in January, after the season ends. Key factors will include the team’s final record (they’re currently 5-8), fan sentiment (social media hashtags like #FireSchwartz continue to trend), and Berry’s vision for the rebuild. If Schwartz is fired, the Browns will likely target a younger coordinator with experience developing rookies—names like Detroit Lions linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard or Seattle Seahawks defensive backs coach Andre Curtis have already been linked to the job. If he’s retained, Schwartz will face pressure to overhaul his scheme, prioritize youth, and fix the defense’s glaring issues. For the Cleveland Browns, the stakes couldn’t be higher: a wrong decision on Schwartz could set the defense back years, derailing their rebuild and prolonging the franchise’s playoff drought. “This isn’t just about one coach,” said the league source. “It’s about defining what kind of team the Browns want to be. Do they want to stick with a proven veteran, or bet on a new voice to lead them into the future? That’s the question they’ll have to answer this offseason.”