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NFL NFL Coaching Carousel Todd Monken, who was the Ravens' offensive coordinator from 2023 to 2025, had to face Jim Schwartz's Browns defense twice a season. Nick Cammett / Getty Images BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns formally introduced Todd Monken as their new head coach on Tuesday. There were no clear answers about the status of defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who was one of the finalists for the job that went to Monken last week. But it was clear from the answers that the Browns are prepared to move forward without Schwartz if he doesn’t want to return. Advertisement “We’re not planning to change the (defensive) system, ” Monken said. “We’re built for the system the (players are) in currently. I’m not gonna get into staffing (today) because it’s not the time to get into that, but (the players) can rest assured we’re going to keep the same system. “We’re still going to let them attack, still going to let them play free. I can’t see any other way. They’re a big reason why I took this job, the defensive players. 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, ” Monken said. “But I took it for the players here, the ownership and (general manager) Andrew Berry — and the ability to build this roster from the ground up on the offensive side. ”

Schwartz, the defensive coordinator for the past three seasons, left the team facility unhappy after the announcement of Monken’s hire, league sources told The Athletic, and was adamant that he would not return despite being under contract with the Browns for two more seasons. The Browns had one of the league’s best defenses in 2025 despite having one of the worst offenses, and Schwartz was considered both the architect and orchestrator of that unit. In Schwartz’s attack-first scheme, Cleveland’s defense finished in the top five in yardage allowed in both 2023 (first) and 2025 (fourth), while Myles Garrett broke the single-season record for sacks, recording his 23rd on the final day of the regular season. Monken spent the last three years as the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive coordinator and faced Schwartz’s Browns defenses twice a season. Monken said it was a “b—-” to play against Schwartz’s “outstanding” defenses and said he’s spoken to Schwartz, but offered no detail on those conversations or Schwartz’s standing in the ongoing staff remake. “It’s inappropriate for me to comment on that at this time, ” Monken said. Advertisement Some of Monken’s anticipated offensive hires have been widely reported, but there’s been no reported movement on the defensive staff. With team owner Jimmy Haslam also saying Tuesday was not the day to discuss Schwartz’s status and Monken’s confirmation that the defensive system will remain intact, it’s fair to assume the Browns are planning internal promotions and are at least prepared to move on without Schwartz. Browns linebackers coach Jason Tarver was the Raiders’ defensive coordinator from 2012 to 2014. Safeties coach Ephraim Banda interviewed for coordinator openings with the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys last month. “I said this to the other guys (and) I didn’t think I’d say it, but I’m gonna say it (today). When I was preparing for the Cleveland Browns (in Baltimore), I wasn’t trying to chip Jim Schwartz, ” Monken said. “I was chipping Myles Garrett. When I was sliding a protection to the outside linebackers or to Grant Delpit blitzing off the edge, I was sliding the protection to the players. “When I was worried about throwing to the right against Denzel Ward or Tyson Campbell to the left, that’s what I was worried about. ” Ward and Delpit are among the players who spoke publicly in favor of the Browns making Schwartz the head coach following the Jan. 5 firing of Kevin Stefanski. The Browns traded for Campbell in October in part because he was a good fit for Schwartz’s man-to-man coverage schemes. Garrett is expected to win his second Defensive Player of the Year award on Thursday at the NFL Honors ceremony. Browns rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger is also likely to be named Defensive Rookie of the Year. Monken twice referenced the challenge of preparing to play against Schwartz’s defense. “But more important, the players” who manned that defense, he said. “It will be more fun when I don’t have to worry about chipping (Garrett) at every down and distance, ” he said. Berry said the Browns “have a ton of respect for (Schwartz), but there will be a time to talk about that, and this is Todd’s day. ” Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle Zac Jackson is a staff writer for The Athletic covering the Cleveland Browns. He is also the host of the "Zac Jackson and Friends" podcast. Previously, Zac covered the Browns for Fox Sports Ohio and worked for Pro Football Talk. Follow Zac on Twitter @Akron Jackson