Sean McDermott vs. Jim Schwartz: Pros, cons, and best fit for Browns HC

Andy McNamara

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Sean McDermott vs. Jim Schwartz: Pros, cons, and best fit for Browns HC image

GM Andrew Berry suddenly has an old favorite entering the search for the next Cleveland Browns head coach.

The Bills fired Sean McDermott Monday morning after nine seasons. In 2016, a young Andrew Berry and Sashi Brown wanted to hire McDermott, but were overruled by ownership in favor of Hue Jackson. Now that Berry has total control of finding Kevin Stefanski's replacement, he can revisit this option.

However, the best option for Cleveland may already be in the building with defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. The 59-year old completed his second interview for the job on Monday.

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More: Bills fire Sean McDermott: 3 reasons Browns must hire him as next HC

Let's look at the pros and cons for both coaches:

Sean McDermott: The Program Builder

Pros:

  • Elite Culture: Snapped an 17-year playoff drought in Buffalo and maintains a.662 career winning percentage. Won five AFC East titles.

  • QB Whisperer: Instrumental part in developing Josh Allen from a raw prospect into an MVP. He could be exactly what Shedeur Sanders needs to grow.

  • Front Office Synergy: Berry famously wanted to hire McDermott in 2016; the vision alignment is already there.

Cons:

  • Postseason Ceiling: Struggles to win "the big one," with an 8-8 playoff record and zero Super Bowl appearances.

  • Staff Volatility: Hiring McDermott means losing Jim Schwartz, as both are defensive-minded alphas.

Jim Schwartz: The Defensive Mastermind

Pros:

  • Locker Room Vote: Holds the highest approval rating among stars like Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward who have openly praised him to the media.

  • Statistical Dominance: Led a top-5 group for two straight years, unlocked Garrett’s record-breaking 23-sack season, and groomed Carson Schwesinger to likely win Rookie DPOY.

  • Continuity: A promotion ensures the Browns' only elite unit remains intact during the offensive transition.

Cons:

  • Retread Factor: A 29-52 record as a head coach in Detroit still haunts his resume.

  • Offensive Question Marks: Must prove he can hire, or work with someone Berry assigns to him, a top-tier OC to manage the Sanders/Watson dynamic.

The Verdict: Why Jim Schwartz is the Best Fit

While McDermott’s resume is the new shiny toy, Jim Schwartz is the right choice for Cleveland. 

The Browns have an elite defensive identity that rivals the 1980s "Dawg Pound" glory days. Hiring an external defensive coach like McDermott risks a total scheme overhaul and the potential regression of Myles Garrett.

By promoting Schwartz, Berry preserves the team’s greatest strength while allowing the front office to focus 100% of their remaining resources on rebuilding the offense.

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Editorial Team