Browns' self-created Jim Schwartz dilemma could help the Lions

The Detroit Lions have to be glad they have pretty minimal coaching drama to parse through this offseason.

They've already got an established head coach running the show, and their OC hire - while bland - seems to be on-brand with the type of offense they're looking to get back to in 2026. Ground and pound, and tons of optionality amongst receivers and tight ends. Plug up some holes on the offensive line, and the Lions are right back in the contention conversation.

You just can't say the same for a team like the Cleveland Browns. They just hired Todd Monken to be their next head coach, and that's a good hire. Monken got some sensational seasons out of Lamar Jackson while with the Baltimore Ravens as their OC, so Cleveland clearly sees room for growth on their offense by bringing Monken on. The issue?

Former Lions head coach, and technically current defensive coordinator for the Browns, Jim Schwartz, was just snubbed for the HC role for Monken. And, that has left a sour taste in his mouth, and seemingly in the mouth of their superstar pass rusher, Myles Garrett:

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Schwartz is still a top defensive mind in the NFL, but just wasn't cut out for leading the Lions when he was HC. In the same way that the Lions managed to snag Mike Kafka away from several OC oppurtunities this offseason, why shouldn't they look to add Schwartz to their defensive coaching staff as someone for Kelvin Sheppard to lean on?

Lions can turn Browns' misfortune into their luck

Schwartz would be a fantastic addition to the staff as an assistant coach and defensive supervisor, of sorts, under Sheppard. The rookie DC did a solid job in 2025, but injuries made it difficult to evaluate his performance. He was without the likes of Terrion Arnold, Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, and Ennis Rakestraw for most, if not all, of the year.

Schwartz provides an extra eye on their scheming, and also gives Detroit a bit of an insurance policy if Sheppard isn't performing well in 2026. It's unclear if he is going to walk away from Cleveland officially, but it doesn't look good for the Browns.

Their defense is their bread and butter, and losing the coach that has consistently helped them land within the top-5 of the NFL in defensive metrics would be a huge blow to whatever it is they're building over on the other side of Lake Erie. But, it could be the Lions' gain if they're still in the business of bringing on coaches in "specialty" roles this offseason.