Schwartz’s candidacy would end a 13-year hiatus from NFL head coaching, a gap that followed his five-season run with the Detroit Lions. His first year there opened at 2-14, then the team climbed to 6-10 and 10-6 before slipping to 4-7 in his final two seasons. He went 29-51 overall with Detroit and one playoff appearance, which ended in a 45-28 loss to the Saints.
His resume since Detroit includes extensive defensive coordination roles. He was the Buffalo Bills’ defensive coordinator in 2014, then spent 2016-2020 with the Philadelphia Eagles, helping them win a Super Bowl in the 2017 season. After health-related time away, he served as a senior defensive assistant with the Tennessee Titans (2021-2022) before returning to Cleveland as the Browns’ defensive coordinator in 2023.
In Cleveland, Schwartz has overseen a notable defensive resurgence, including Myles Garrett’s single-season sack record in 2025. Under his watch, the unit ranked in the NFL’s top five in yards allowed in two of his three seasons with the Browns.
If the Browns don’t hire Schwartz, they risk losing him to another team’s defensive coordinator job, potentially forcing a reset for Cleveland on both sides of the ball after a five-win season. With several candidates having bowed out, Cleveland would be left to navigate a narrowed field, making Schwartz’s candidacy even more pivotal for the franchise’s next era.
For now, Schwartz remains the focal point to lead the Browns in 2026, a return to a head coaching role after a 13-year gap if he lands the job. The decision hinges on whether Cleveland selects an internal successor or pursues external options, with Schwartz’s momentum and unique fit making him a standout figure in the ongoing leadership search.
