Tag: Jimmy Haslam

Aug 5, 2024; Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz during a press conference at the Browns training facility in Berea, Ohio. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Jim Schwartz resigns as Browns’ defensive coordinator

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jim Schwartz resigned from his job as defensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns, the team announced Friday.

Schwartz reportedly was unhappy when the Browns hired Todd Monken instead of him as their head coach.

“Yesterday, Jim Schwartz submitted his letter of resignation as defensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns,” the team said in a statement. “We’d like to thank Jim for his contributions to our organization over the last three seasons. Our search for a new defensive coordinator will begin immediately.”

While Schwartz remains under contract with the team, he plans to sit out the 2026 season, per The Athletic. Schwartz, 59, previously was the head coach of the Detroit Lions (2009-13). This is the first head coaching opportunity for the 61-year-old Monken.

Schwartz was the defensive coordinator of the Browns the past three seasons. With Myles Garrett, who set the NFL single-season record for sacks (23) in 2025 to anchor the defense, Cleveland’s unit was one of the NFL’s best during his tenure.

The team finished among the leaders in total yards allowed — first in 2023 and fourth in 2025.

During interviews with potential head coaching candidates, the Browns’ top brass, including owner Jimmy Haslam, expressed they wanted Schwartz to remain as defensive coordinator.

Monken, Schwartz and Rams pass coordinator Nate Scheelhaase were the finalists. Monken’s experience is on the offensive side of the ball, serving as offensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens the past three seasons.

Now, Monken is without both coordinators. Tommy Rees, the OC in 2025, accepted the same position in Atlanta.

Rees will be reunited with the coach Monken replaced, Kevin Stefanski, who is the new head coach of the Falcons after being dismissed by the Browns on Jan. 5.

–Field Level Media

Aug 10, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns managing and principal partner Jimmy Haslam before the game at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Browns co-owner: Deshaun Watson trade a ‘swing and miss’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Three years after giving up a king’s ransom to bring quarterback Deshaun Watson to Cleveland, Browns co-owner Jimmy Haslam admitted Monday that it was a mistake.

“We took a big swing and miss with Deshaun,” he said at the league meeting in Palm Beach, Fla. “We thought we had the quarterback, we didn’t, and we gave up a lot of draft picks to get him. So we’ve got to dig ourselves out of that hole. (It) was an entire organization decision and it ends with Dee (Haslam, Jimmy’s wife and franchise co-owner) and I, so hold us accountable.”

The Browns acquired Watson from the Texans in March 2022, despite the quarterback being accused of committing sexual improprieties with multiple massage therapists in the Houston area. Cleveland sent Houston first-round draft picks in 2022, 2023 and 2024, along with a 2023 third-round pick, and fourth-round picks in 2022 and 2024 in exchange for Watson and a 2024 sixth-round pick.

After the trade, the Browns signed Watson, who then had three Pro Bowl selections to his credit, to a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract. He is still owed $92 million.

In return, Watson has compiled a 9-10 record while starting only 19 of 51 possible regular-season games due to injuries and an 11-game suspension related to the sexual assault allegations. In those games, he has completed 61.2 percent of his passes for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

After tearing an Achilles in January for the second time in less than a year, the 29-year-old is expected to miss most or all of the 2025 season.

The Browns finally have a first-round draft pick and own the No. 2 overall selection in the draft, to be held April 24-26 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.

With only Watson and Kenny Pickett on the roster, the Browns need a long-term solution at quarterback. But Haslam said the Browns won’t draft a quarterback if there isn’t one available whom they believe is the QB1 of the future.

“It would be great if we could get ‘the quarterback,’ but we’re not going to force it,” Haslam said. “We’re going to be patient and we’re going to try to accumulate as many really good football players as we can.”

–Field Level Media

Aug 21, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, left, talks with managing and principal partner Jimmy Haslam before the game between the Cleveland Browns and the Philadelphia Eagles at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Reports: Browns owner declines meeting with Myles Garrett over trade request

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam declined to meet with defensive end Myles Garrett in the wake of the All-Pro’s trade request, multiple media outlets reported on Friday.

Browns ownership told Garrett to speak with general manager Andrew Berry, who oversees football operations, according to NFL Network.

Garrett, 29, publicly announced his desire for a trade on Feb. 3 and made clear his goal is winning a Super Bowl, not making more money.

Berry said at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis that the team has no plans to trade Garrett.

“I wouldn’t really touch on any conversations that I have with other teams, just respectfully,” Berry said. “I don’t think that’s appropriate just for current and future business, but it’s irrelevant to this situation because we’re not interested in trading Myles.”

Garrett has two seasons remaining on five-year, $125 million extension he signed in 2020.

Garrett has racked up 102.5 sacks, 20 forced fumbles, 200 quarterback hits and 116 tackles for loss in 117 career regular-season games (114 starts). He has made five straight Pro Bowls and six overall and was the 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

The Browns have reached the playoffs twice in Garrett’s eight seasons for a total of three postseason games.

–Field Level Media

Cleveland Browns Managing and Principal Partner Jimmy Haslam watches his team warmup before an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Cleveland, Ohio. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal] Browns Pregame 2

Browns owners ‘confident’ in Deshaun Watson despite trade criticism

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Facing a barrage of criticism for their blockbuster acquisition of Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam issued a statement Sunday attempting to quell worries about the character of their new franchise quarterback.

Watson is facing 22 civil lawsuits from women who accuse him of sexual misconduct and he could be disciplined by the NFL. A grand jury in Harris County, Texas, declined to indict Watson in connection with any of the cases, but countless fans have taken to social media since Friday’s trade to say they’re jumping off the Browns’ bandwagon.

The Haslams said in their statement they did their due diligence before making the trade that sent five draft picks — including three in the first round — to Houston for Watson and a 2024 fifth-round pick.

“We spent a tremendous amount of time exploring and investigating the opportunity to trade for Deshaun Watson,” the lengthy statement opened. “We are acutely aware and empathetic to the highly personal sentiments expressed about this decision. Our team’s comprehensive evaluation process was of utmost importance due to the sensitive nature of his situation and the complex factors involved.”

The Haslams said they met with Watson, along with general manager Andrew Berry and coach Kevin Stefanski, and left “confident” in the trade. Watson, 26, signed a fully guaranteed $230 million deal with the Browns to culminate the deal.

“He was humble, sincere, and candid,” the owners said, adding Watson “understands and embraces the hard work needed to build his name both in the community and on the field. Those in-depth conversations, the extensive evaluation process, his dedication to being a great teammate and devotion to helping others within the NFL, within the community, and through his charitable initiatives provided the foundation for us to pursue Deshaun.

“We are confident in Deshaun and excited about moving forward with him as our quarterback and supporting his genuine and determined efforts.”

The Browns’ decision to move on from Baker Mayfield and replace him with Watson has brought out fans on social media who have said they are shopping for a new team, and some have voiced their displeasure in other ways.

Cleveland.com reported Saturday that the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center has received more than 1,000 donations since the trade.

“We understand the story surrounding Deshaun Watson joining the Cleveland Browns team is triggering for far too many of our friends and neighbors,” the organization said in a statement. “For those who need additional support, please know Cleveland Rape Crisis Center is available to you 24/7/365.

“To the community we say, we see you. We hear your outrage. We feel it too. Every click. Every post and every tweet. Every donation sends a clear message.”

A first-round pick in 2017, Watson was 28-25 as the starter in Houston. The three-time Pro Bowl selection passed for 14,539 yards and 104 touchdowns and rushed for 1,677 yards and 17 scores in four seasons.

–Field Level Media