Browns head coach Todd Monken
Getty
Browns head coach Todd Monken
The Cleveland Browns are proceeding with their quest to replace departed defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and for a time, it appeared they would have a targeted search and probably pull up someone from within the current defensive staff. In the end, GM Andrew Berry and coach Todd Monken actually have put on a wide-ranging attempt at finding their man in different corners of the NFL.
But they will be one candidate short of where they thought they’d be. That’s because the Giants have made a move to keep Charlie Bullen locked up under Jim Harbaugh in New York after Bullen helped improve a wayward Giants defense after the firing of Brian Daboll last year.
That will knock back what is currently a list of seven candidates to six, with two coming from within the Browns’ current staff and the rest from outside the building.
Browns Had Requested Interview With Charlie Bullen
Insider Mike Garafalo of the NFL Network reported on Friday that Giants coach John Harbaugh gave Bullen a raise and some extra trappings to get him to stay put as the team’s outside linebacker. The Browns, among other teams, had requested an interview with Bullen for a promotion to the DC role.
Wrote Garafalo on Twitter/X: “The#Giants and John Harbaugh are retaining Charlie Bullen, who has pulled out of remaining defensive coordinator searches and will add the title of run-game coordinator, sources say. Bullen gets a contract extension but is expected to once again be a hot DC candidate next year.”
And Mary Kay Cabot, Browns beat writer for Cleveland.com, added, “#Browns had requested a DC interview with the#Giants Charlie Bullen, but he gets added duties and more money to stay with John Harbaugh.”
Bullen has 18 years in coaching, going back to his days with Iowa at the collegiate level. He has been in the NFL since 2012, except for one season at Illinois, working with the Dolphins and Cardinals before spending the past two seasons with the Giants.
John Harbaugh, New York Giants
GettyHead coach John Harbaugh now of the New York Giants
Replacing Jim Schwartz Will Be Difficult
The Browns, of course, had hoped to hold onto Schwartz as the team’s defensive coordinator following the hiring of coach Todd Monken earlier this month. But Schwartz was expecting to get the head-coaching job himself and was angered when he did not, vowing not to coach for the Browns again.
The Browns defense, in three seasons under Schwartz, rated No. 6, No. 8 and No. 2 in Pro Football Focus’ annual grades, and replacing him will be tough.
He certainly had the backing of superstar Myles Garrett, who said of Schwartz: “I don’t think I get two DPOYs without Jim. He helped mold my potential as a player to put me into a scheme and a system that fit me well and enabled me to do what I do best—pin my ears back, rush the passer. Attack the front. You see the front, you attack it. See ball, get ball.”
Browns Weighing Six Candidates
The Browns and Monken have said that they intend to continue running Schwartz’s wide nine scheme in 2026, but whether it can be carried through as effectively without Schwartz is to be determined.
The list of candidates who could be charged with doing so is now at six:
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
Cory Undlin, Texans pass game coordinator