The Cleveland Browns recently hired Jim Schwartz to replace the fired Joe Woods as defensive coordinator.
We won’t get our first look at the new-look Browns defense until next fall. However, we now know that Cleveland made the major hire in order to maximize the potential of All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett.
Cleveland.com’s Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot revealed the franchise made the move with Myles’ best interests at heart.
“The Browns had a difficult decision to make at defensive coordinator after interviewing Schwartz, Brian Flores, Dennard Wilson and Sean Desai, but opted for the most experienced coordinator and the one whose system would best maximize Myles Garrett,” Cabot wrote.
Cabot cited Schwartz’s experience as one of the main factors of the hire..
“Schwartz, 56, has called more than 400 games in the NFL, experience the Browns felt this fledging defense needed most,” wrote Cabot.
Cleveland finished 7-10 and in last place in the AFC North. So they will need everything they can get from Garrett in 2023. The Browns will likely be without veteran defensive lineman Jadaveon Clowney next season after he told Cabot there’s a “95 percent chance” he won’t return after being sent home by the team ahead of their Week 18 contest vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Garrett recorded 16.0 sacks in 2022 with two forced fumbles. In his career, the former No. 1 overall pick has 74.5 sacks.
