CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns new coach Todd Monken revealed that he's talked to Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz about his future with the team, but declined to say whether or not he plans to come back.
"First of all, I think Jim was an outstanding defensive coordinator," Monken said, notably using past tense. "I think we all agree with that, but I think it's a little inappropriate for me to comment about that at this time."
Monken, who sounded like a man who doesn't think his premier coordinator is coming back, emphasized that Schwartz wasn't the reason he signed on to become the Browns 19th head coach. It was for the players such as Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward and Carson Schwesinger, who power the scheme.
"First off, my anticipation is we're not going to change the system," Monken said. "Very difficult to go against. Not planning to change the system. We're built for the system that they're in currently, and I'm not going to get into staffing because that's not at this time to get into that, but they can be rest assured that we're going to keep the same system, we're still going to let them attack, we're 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. But I took it because of the players that are here, the ownership, (GM) Andrew Berry, and the ability to build this from the ground up on the offensive side. And I said this to the other guys; I didn't think I'd say it, but I'm going to say it: when I was preparing for the Cleveland Browns, I wasn't trying to chip Jim Schwartz. I was chipping Myles Garrett and when I was sliding the protection to the outside 'backers or Grant Delpit blitzing off the edge, I was sliding the protection to the players and when I was worried about throwing to the right against Denzel Ward or Tyson Campbell to the left, that’s who I was worried about throwing at."
Schwartz, who's under contract for two more years, was at the Browns facility on Monday morning, a league source told cleveland.com. But the Browns aren't giving any indication of whether or not he's coming back.
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam did reveal that "those conversations are ongoing. We'll talk about that in a later day. Today is to introduce Todd Monken as new head coach."
Haslam re-iterated what he said the day Kevin Stefanski was fired on Jan. 5, that they absolutely want Schwartz back with the team. But he packed up his office the day he was passed over for the job in favor of Monken and told some in the building that he wasn't coming back. Schwartz, one of three finalists for the job along with Monken and Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, came close to getting the job but the Browns have no plans to let him out of his contract to coach elsewhere.
Instead, they're more likely to offer him a raise and extension to stay here and coach what's been one of the most dominant defenses in the NFL the past three years.
"I think Todd made it clear. Andrew's made it clear. I think I made it clear back on January 5th - we think the world of Coach Schwartz," Haslam said. "I think Jim and Jim's future are the subject for another day."
Haslam, like Monken, believes the defense will continue to play at an elite level regardless of who's calling it.
"I do," Haslam said. "I feel really good. We have really good players and it starts there. We also have a great staff and I think Jim would tell you the four leaders of the defensive line; the linebackers; cornerbacks and safeties are all outstanding coaches. So we're excited moving forward."
As it stands, the defensive staff remains intact, including defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire, linebackers coach Jason Tarver, safeties coach Ephraim Banda, and cornerbacks coach Brandon Lynch. Banda was interviewed for the defensive coordinator vacancies in Dallas and with the Jets and is a possible candidate here for a promotion if Schwartz leaves.
Schwartz, who also interviewed for the Ravens head coach job, might also have defensive coordinator opportunities elsewhere, but the Browns have no plans to let him out of his contract to coach another team. At this point, his two choices are to coach the Browns or retire.
The day Schwartz left the building angry, Myles Garrett posted a photo on his Instagram story of a fast food employee hanging his head. Denzel Ward also told cleveland.com that if the Browns can get Schwartz to stay, "I'll be happy." Those two, along with Delpit and others, endorsed Schwartz as the next Browns head coach. But Ward also said he's excited about Monken and what he can do for the offense.
Berry said he didn't see Garrett's Instagram story, but "we kept Myles abreast of the process throughout, so Myers knew the news before you all did. Myles is a great team player and we're not worried about that."
I didn't see it to be honest. We kept Myles abreast of the process throughout, so he, Myles, knew the news before you all did. Myers is a great team player and we're not worried about that.
Monken, the Browns offensive coordinator here in 2019 under Freddie Kitchens, described what it was like opposing Schwartz' defense the past three years when Monken was offensive coordinator of the Ravens.
"It's been a (expletive) to go against his defense six times over the last three years schematically and more importantly the players because ultimately it's a player's game," he said. "That's what it's. It's our job as coaches to develop systems that allow your players to play fast. People talk about time speed; it's really not about time speed. It's about how they play on the field and that's developing schemes in my opinion; or systems as coach (John) Harbaugh used to call it; with elegant simplicity where they can function at a high level and play fast and that's what you saw all the time with the guys that are here and the players that we have.
"But at the end of the day, I say this all the time, from an offense or defensive perspective, it starts with having elite players and then having an elite coaching staff and then you can call the game freely because of that, because of the talent you have. That's what makes a coordinator elite."
He added that "it's not one individual person. And when we get ready for the Browns - when we used to get ready for the Browns, excuse me -- it'll be more fun not having to worry about chipping 95 every down."
The possible departure of Schwartz, the 2023 AP Assistant Coach of the Year and favorite of his players, is the first of many challenges Monken will face in his new job.