Browns Urged to Work Out Informal Trade of Jim Schwartz Within AFC

Cleveland retains rights to former defensive coordinator, who resigned this week.

Feb. 7, 2026 at 6:55pm

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The Cleveland Browns may still be able to pull off a trade involving resigned defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, even though teams cannot officially trade coordinators. The Browns hold Schwartz's rights and have no plans to let him out of his contract, but a potential 'informal trade' with another AFC team like the Las Vegas Raiders could allow Schwartz to join a new staff while the Browns receive some compensation.

Why it matters

Schwartz's resignation was an awkward end to his tenure in Cleveland, and the Browns would prefer to get something in return rather than simply letting him sit out the next two seasons. An informal trade could benefit both the Browns and a team like the Raiders that may be interested in adding Schwartz to their staff.

The details

Schwartz officially tendered his resignation this week, bringing an end to a drawn-out and awkward chapter for the Browns following the hiring of head coach Todd Monken. Schwartz had been a finalist for the head coaching position before Cleveland ultimately went in a different direction with Monken. While teams can trade head coaches, they cannot trade coordinators. However, veteran NFL voice Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk pitched a scenario where the Browns could essentially 'trade' Schwartz if a team is interested in adding him to their staff, potentially involving players and/or draft picks.

  • Schwartz officially tendered his resignation this week.
  • The league year begins on March 11.

The players

Jim Schwartz

The former defensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns who resigned this week.

Todd Monken

The new head coach of the Cleveland Browns who was introduced earlier this week.

Myles Garrett

The star defensive player for the Cleveland Browns and 2022 Defensive Player of the Year.

Carson Schwesinger

The Cleveland Browns' Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Denzel Ward

The Pro Bowl cornerback for the Cleveland Browns.

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What they’re saying

“The Browns retain his rights, and at this point, have no plans to let him out of his contract. It means he'll have to sit out these two years unless the two sides reach some kind of resolution.”

— Mary Kay Cabot, Browns insider, cleveland.com (cleveland.com)

“It's possible that the Raiders and Browns could informally work out some other tentative trade involving players and/or draft picks, to be effective when the league year begins on March 11. Extra compensation for Schwartz could be buried into that transaction.”

— Mike Florio, Veteran NFL voice (Pro Football Talk)

“When I was preparing for the Cleveland Browns, I wasn't trying to chip Jim Schwartz. I was chipping Myles Garrett. 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.”

— Todd Monken, New Cleveland Browns head coach (Cleveland Browns)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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