Insider reporting indicates Giants coach John Harbaugh gave Bullen a raise and additional duties to stay, adding the title of run-game coordinator while extending his contract. The Browns had requested an interview with Bullen for a potential promotion, but he appears set to remain with the Giants.
Bullen brings 18 years of coaching experience, with NFL experience dating back to 2012 after time at Iowa and a stint at Illinois. He has worked with the Dolphins and Cardinals before joining the Giants, where he helped stabilize a defense after the Daboll era.
Replacing Schwartz will be difficult, given the Browns’ defensive profiles under Schwartz, including top-10 finishes in Pro Football Focus grading. The defense saw a notable endorsement from Myles Garrett, who credited Schwartz with shaping a system that helped maximize the star edge rusher’s production.
The Browns are now down to six potential DC candidates: Ephraim Banda (Browns safeties coach), Jonathan Cooley (Panthers pass game coordinator), Aubrey Pleasant (Rams pass game coordinator), Mike Rutenberg (Falcons pass game coordinator), Jason Tarver (Browns linebackers coach), and Cory Undlin (Texans pass game coordinator).
While the search continues, Cleveland has indicated it intends to run Schwartz’s wide-nine scheme in 2026, though it remains to be seen how seamlessly that scheme can be carried without Schwartz’s leadership. The organization will continue interviews as it refines its plan for replacing Schwartz.
