The Cleveland Browns are casting a wide net in their search for a new defensive coordinator but Jim Schwartz should be the top choice

After letting Joe Woods go early on Monday morning, the Cleveland Browns got right to work looking for their new defensive coordinator.

They requested permission to interview Pittsburgh assistant coach Brian Flores and New England linebacker coach Jerod Mayo. They’ve also asked to speak with defensive assistants for Seattle, Sean Desai, and Tennessee, Jim Schwartz.

Each of the coaches they’ve targeted has more than enough qualifications to get the job done but Schwartz is the one that makes the most sense — and could have the most success early on.

While many fans are clamoring for Brian Flores, he might not be an ideal fit. Flores is a great defensive mind and would surely bring success down the road but there would need to be some changes made.

Flores has typically run a 3-4 defense which can be great with the right pieces. Right now, Cleveland doesn’t really have those pieces. They lack a big nose tackle and it doesn’t make a lot of sense to move Myles Garrett to an outside linebacker role — and no way would anyone want him playing defensive end in that scheme.

That’s why Schwartz makes sense. He uses a traditional four-man front but also switches it up with what’s known as a wide-9 technique. This strategy gets the defensive ends on the outside of the tackles, accomplishing much of what the 3-4 does while still not typically asking the pass rushers to ever think about dropping into coverage.

He’s also had plenty of success with his defense, even coaching a top-five unit for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017 when they won the Super Bowl.

If that wasn’t enough, Schwartz also has experience as a head coach, spending five seasons at the helm for the Detroit Lions from 2009 through 2013. That would give Kevin Stefanski someone to lean on during the season while also vastly improving the defense.