NFL insider Aditi Kinkhabwala of CBS Sports pushed back against the idea that hiring Schwartz would be a settlement, noting Schwartz’s leverage, his clear goal to be a head coach again, and the respect he commands from players. She argued the organization must weigh what keeping Schwartz could mean for the defense and overall culture.
Haslam has publicly indicated strong interest in keeping Schwartz, saying, “Absolutely. We think a lot of Jim Schwartz,” and suggesting Schwartz would be in the mix for the head coaching job. Schwartz has served as Cleveland’s defensive coordinator since 2023 and has been a key architect of the unit’s performance.
While some Browns fans have voiced concerns about Schwartz as a potential head coach, Kinkhabwala highlighted the positive view from players and the organizational respect for Schwartz’s impact on the defense, which could bolster his candidacy even as others remain in the mix.
Regarding hiring rumors, Kinkhabwala also addressed a circulating claim about essay tests for candidates, saying no applicant was asked to write an essay. Instead, she described a five-question questionnaire designed to keep the process efficient while ensuring ownership, the general manager, and the head coach are aligned.
With several candidates no longer showing interest and the process winding toward a resolution, Cleveland could announce its next head coach at any time, though no official selection has been made public. The three finalists remain in contention as the team weighs its options.
