A familiar name is gaining real traction in the Browns’ head coaching conversation, and it is one that fans already know well.
During a recent discussion on 92.3 The Fan, Ken Carman suggested that Jim Schwartz is very much in play as the Browns continue to sort through their next move. With outside candidates being interviewed and new names emerging almost daily, the belief is that Schwartz is becoming more popular with fans as the process unfolds.
“I think the well known name that’s really in play is Jim Schwartz… We had the English guy yesterday, Dan Pitcher today, more names come out like that, Jim Schwartz is gonna become more popular with fans,” Carman said.
"I think the well known name that's really in play is Jim Schwartz… We had the English guy yesterday, Dan Pitcher today, more names come out like that, Jim Schwartz is gonna become more popular with fans."
🚨@KenCarman & @SportsBoyTony on the Browns possibly hiring from within pic.twitter.com/rdwfQA9p5X
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) January 8, 2026
That idea is not coming out of nowhere. Schwartz has spent the last several seasons in Cleveland building one of the most respected defenses in football. Even through roster turnover and injuries, the unit has maintained toughness, discipline, and accountability. Those traits matter right now, especially for a franchise that just moved on from a head coach and is searching for stability.
The Browns are clearly doing their homework. They have interviewed coordinators from outside the organization and continue to explore a wide range of profiles. But there is also an argument to be made for familiarity, especially when that familiarity comes with results. Schwartz knows the locker room. He knows the personalities. More importantly, players trust him.
That trust has shown up publicly. Several defenders have gone out of their way to praise his leadership and preparation.
There is also the timing factor. The Browns are not starting from scratch. They have an elite defense in place, young pieces developing on offense, and a roster that is not far away from competing if the right decisions are made. Promoting from within could allow for continuity rather than another full reset.
That does not mean Schwartz is a lock. The Browns will continue to talk to other candidates and gather information. But the longer this process goes on, the more his name refuses to go away.
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