Browns will likely interview DC Jim Schwartz to replace Kevin Stefanski; Brian Flores among other possible candidates

BEREA, Ohio -- Browns protect coordinator Jim Schwartz has earned “the correct for consideration” arsenic Kevin Stefanski’s replacement, GM Andrew Berry said Monday, and has received ringing endorsements from his players.

First-year violative coordinator Tommy Rees mightiness besides onshore an interview.

But nan Browns will behaviour a thorough hunt for their 19th full-time caput coach opening Monday afternoon, and they’ll beryllium open-minded astir their excavation of candidates. He aliases she tin beryllium from either broadside of nan ball, and tin beryllium young, aged aliases thing successful between.

Here are immoderate of nan imaginable caput coaching candidates successful this cycle, pinch a number of them judge to beryllium interviewed by nan Browns:

• Kevin Stefanski’s Browns coaching bequest by nan numbers: Fourth-down aggressiveness, challenged plays, points
• What’s adjacent for nan Browns aft they occurrence Kevin Stefanski: Berea Report (Video)
• The Browns’ ain words expose nan flaw successful firing Kevin Stefanski: Ashley Bastock

Jim Schwartz, Browns protect coordinator, 59: Schwartz presides complete nan NFL’s No. 4 defense, and 1 of nan astir ascendant units this squad has ever seen. He besides has caput coaching experience, having guided nan Lions from 2009-13, pinch a 29-51 grounds (.363) successful that span. Schwartz re-iterated precocious that he’d for illustration to beryllium a caput coach again someday, and Browns players specified arsenic Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward and Grant Delpit each endorse him. . Schwartz has besides been a coordinator pinch nan Titans, Bills, and Eagles, winning Super Bowl LII pinch Philadelphia. Known for building beardown fronts and linebacker play, he earned AP Assistant Coach of nan Year honors successful 2023.

Tommy Rees, Browns violative coordinator, 33: Rees conscionable vanished his first play arsenic violative coordinator of nan Browns, and called plays for nan past 9 games of nan season. Rees is described by immoderate arsenic an violative savant, and has nan afloat backing of his erstwhile Alabama boss, Nick Saban. The Browns astir apt want a much knowledgeable caput coach, but they would besides for illustration to clasp Rees if possible. If Schwartz gets nan nod, Rees would person a chance to enactment connected arsenic violative coordinator.

Joe Brady, Bills violative coordinator, 36: With Schwartz coaching nan defense, nan Browns mightiness use from an offensive-minded caput coach. Brady is simply a rising prima successful nan league, having served arsenic violative coordinator for nan Panthers (2020-21) and being named Bill full-time OC successful January 2024. Josh Allen has flourished nether his guidance, earning NFL MVP honors past year. He’s viewed arsenic a young, imaginative violative mind pinch beardown QB improvement credentials, which is what nan Browns need, either for Shedeur Sanders aliases a rookie QB.

Robert Saleh, 49ers protect coordinator, 46: Saleh interviewed for nan Browns caput coaching vacancy successful 2020 that went to Stefanski, truthful nan Browns cognize him good — and for illustration him. A defensive-minded caput coach, he runs a 4-3 truthful there’d beryllium immoderate continuity. He besides has erstwhile caput coaching acquisition pinch nan Jets from 2021-2024, and that’s a plus, moreover though he went 20-36 because of backmost problems. He’s worked intimately pinch Kyle Shanahan and different premier coaches successful nan league, and has tremendous activity skills.

Brian Flores, Vikings protect coordinator, 44: Flores interviewed for nan Browns protect coordinator occupation successful 2023 erstwhile it went to Schwartz, but nan Browns really liked him. Flores runs a 3-4 defense, which doesn’t fresh Myles Garrett, but nan Browns are putting activity and civilization fresh up of scheme. He was caput coach of nan Dolphins (2019–21), and had a elder protect domiciled pinch nan Steelers. Flores’s defenses are known for discipline, creativity, and beingness play.

Matt Nagy, Chief violative coordinator, 47: Nagy plays a cardinal domiciled successful 1 of nan league’s astir potent offenses, and he’s a longtime disciple of Andy Reid. He’s besides nan erstwhile caput coach of nan Bears, wherever he earned AP NFL Coach of nan Year honors successful 2018. After 4 seasons successful Chicago, Nagy returned to Kansas City, helping nan Chiefs to continued occurrence and contributing to aggregate Super Bowl runs nether Reid. His blend of violative acumen and acquisition arsenic some a caput coach and coordinator makes him 1 of nan much intriguing coaching figures successful nan NFL landscape.

Mike McCarthy, erstwhile Cowboys and Packers caput coach, 62: McCarthy has, by far, nan astir caput coach acquisition connected nan list, having coached nan Packers from 2006-18, and nan Cowboys from 2020-24. He won a Super Bowl pinch nan Packers, and has an extended violative play-calling background. He brings structure, leadership, and organization knowledge to immoderate staff.

Chris Shula, Rams protect coordinator, 39: Shula, a Miami (Ohio) alum, is simply a erstwhile protect coordinator astatine John Carroll. He’s spent astir of his pro profession pinch Sean McVay, winning a Super Bowl ringing pinch him. Championship acquisition is ever a immense plus. He’s nan grandson of precocious Hall of Fame coach Don Shula, and boy of erstwhile Bengals coach Dave Shula.

Jesse Minter, Chargers protect coordinator, 42: The Chargers’ coordinator since 2004, he was a protect adjunct for nan Ravens from 2017-20 and knows nan AFC North well. He’s a scheme-versatile coordinator pinch disciplined attack and beardown school background. Emphasizes adaptability and situational defense. Viewed arsenic a rising protect mind pinch semipermanent upside.

Jonathan Gannon, erstwhile Cardinals caput coach, 43: Gannon was fired connected Monday, aforesaid time arsenic his bully friend Stefanski. A Cleveland native, Gannon was a multi-sport prima astatine Saint Ignatius High School. Before being hired by nan Cardinals, he helped lead nan Eagles to a Super Bowl LVII quality arsenic protect coordinator. Gannon’s coaching profession includes stops arsenic an adjunct pinch nan Falcons, Titans, Vikings, and Colts. He went 15-36 arsenic Cardinals coach.