Some of the theatrics that took place in Cleveland this past week have landed the Browns in the spotlight, but not for good reason.
After defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz was passed over by Todd Monken for the team’s head-coaching job, Schwartz reportedly packed up his office and left the facility, leading many to believe he’s either stepping away from the Browns or from coaching altogether.
Browns’ Pro Bowl CB Wants Jim Schwartz Back in Cleveland
The future is murky for Schwartz after spending the last three seasons at the helm of the Browns’ defense. That unit is on the heels of a year where they ranked in the top five in both passing yards allowed (3rd) and total yards allowed (4th). Not to mention, they have a future Hall-of-Fame rushing the passer in Myles Garrett.
Five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward, who was a major key to that top-ranked passing defense, made his stance clear on Monday. According to Cleveland.com, the 28-year-old Ward didn’t even know that Schwartz had packed up and had informed fellow staffers that he wasn’t coming back.
“I’m not sure what was true or was not true, so I’m not going to speculate,” Ward said. “I’m just going to wait to see how everything plays out and look forward to, hopefully, we’re still keeping him. I’ve got a lot of respect for coach Schwartz and he’s an amazing coach, and I’m hoping he stays on the team.”
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Why wouldn’t Schwartz want to return? Well, at this point, dignity.
Schwartz entered the offseason as one of the Browns’ top candidates to replace Kevin Stefanski as their new head coach. Instead, Monken, who had spent the last three years as the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive coordinator, was hired as an external candidate. Schwartz likely feels scorned and that a bridge has been burned between him and the organization.
“I’m hoping coach Schwartz stays,” Ward continued. “That’s what I’m hoping. That’s who I want to stay. I want coach Schwartz to be my defensive coordinator, and if we can make that happen, I’ll be happy.”
Ward has yet to speak with Schwartz since he left Cleveland, but added that he didn’t feel it was his place to do so.
Since joining the Browns as the No. 4 overall selection in 2018, Ward has just finished his eighth season in Cleveland as perhaps one of the most underrated players at his position. He’s played in at least 13 games in each of the last five seasons after playing in 37 of a possible 48 to begin his career. He’s totaled at least one interception every year, but 2025 marked the first time that he had fewer than two in a season.
Schwartz’s return would be monumental for Ward and allow other members of the Browns’ secondary to maintain familiarity, rather than having to learn and adapt to a new system. Under Schwartz, the Browns ranked 6th in PFSN’s Defense Impact score for 2025. They’re one of three non-playoff teams in the top ten, joining the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints.
