#HeyTony: What are the chances of the Browns trading defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz?

Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns and NFL analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.

Hey Tony: Can the Browns get a high draft choice in a trade if Jim Schwartz goes with another team as defensive coordinator while he's under contract with the Browns?

-- Jim, Canton, OH

Hey Jim: Head coaches have been traded in the past, the latest being New Orleans’ Sean Payton to Denver in 2023 for first- and third-round draft picks. But I don’t recall an assistant coach ever being traded. The Browns could have considered a trade in 2024 when offensive line coach Bill Callahan asked out of his contract to join his son with the Tennessee Titans. But they didn’t. The Browns also allowed Kyle Shanahan out of his contract in 2015 when he became disillusioned with the dysfunction surrounding the 2014 season. Overall, the precedent is there for the Browns to just let Schwartz walk away – if that’s what he wants.

Hey Tony: With the eventual departure of Jim Schwartz, could Ephraim Banda or Jason Tarver be the next DC or does Todd Monken bring in his own guy?

-- Gary, Charleston, WV

Hey Gary: If Schwartz does not return, Tarver, Browns linebackers coach, and Banda, safeties coach, could be candidates to succeed him. Same with Brandon Lynch, cornerbacks coach. The situation is fluid, however, and efforts to retain Schwartz are ongoing. If Schwartz leaves, the call for his replacement should be Monken’s alone.

Hey Tony: It's been calm now for 4 days. Odds Schwartz has cooled off and Monken will be able to convince him to stay on board (Jimmy's money can't hurt)?

-- Kyle, Celina, OH

Hey Kyle: I guess it’s possible. It depends on Schwartz’s top priority at this time – more money from the Browns, or the chance to return to the Super Bowl.

Hey Tony: "Fantasy Madden World" -- Would you trade Schwartz and Myles Garrett for Mac Jones and multiple 1st's? Throw in Brandon Aiyuk as a kisser.

-- Greg, New Straitsville, OH

Hey Greg: My price tag for Garrett would be three No. 1s, minimum, and I wouldn’t want anything to do with Aiyuk.

Hey Tony: Do you think Jim Schwartz will cool off and realize this defense is his best chance to get that head coaching gig somewhere after one more year as DC? 

-- Greg, Middleburg Heights, OH

Hey Greg: I disagree. If Schwartz still aspires to get a second chance at head coach, his best route would be to join a Super Bowl contender as DC. If that team gets to the Super Bowl, he might still be a candidate in future head coach hiring cycles.

Hey Tony: When will we find out if and what the payout is on any Deshaun Watson injury insurance the Browns had for the 2025 season?

-- Josh, Ooltewah, TN

Hey Josh: I would think something about this would come out at NFL owner meetings at the end of March.

Hey Tony: Are you excited knowing now offensively the Browns can just draft the best player available without having to worry about a scheme fit?

-- Marcellus, Columbia, SC

Hey Marcellus: The Browns need help on offense everywhere except running back. Offensive line and wide receiver are the most pressing needs.

Hey Tony: How many new offensive line starters will the Browns have next year?

-- Leonard, Troy, OH

Hey Leonard: I would think there would be five new starters different from the opening-game starters in 2025. A few contenders already be on hand, such as center Luke Wypler, guard Zak Zinter and offensive tackle Dawand Jones. I would expect at least three starters to come from new acquisitions, however.

Hey Tony: With Kevin Stefanski hiring several of his coaches he had with the Browns, doesn’t it make you wonder who is really running the team?

-- Tom, Sumter, SC

Hey Tom: Three of Stefanski’s additions in Atlanta were from his Cleveland staff – offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, offensive line coach Bill Callahan, and quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt. Callahan and Van Pelt left the Browns in 2024 after a surprise playoff appearance in 2023 when Stefanski’s bosses made changes on the staff to tailor the offense to Deshaun Watson. Callahan’s official reason for leaving was to join his son with the Titans, but I believe the real reason was he disagreed with the firing of Van Pelt and the direction the team was heading.

Hey Tony: Can you predict the QB room for this year? If Dillon Gabriel leaves does ATL grab him?  

-- John, Stow, OH

Hey John: A Gabriel trade to Atlanta for a fifth-round pick is an easy prediction, right? Stefanski supposedly favored Gabriel and fifth-round picks seem to be GM Andrew Berry’s passion. Also, I would not discount the possibility of the Browns pursuing Tyler Huntley for a third time. He has been in two Browns training camps, but was released each time at the 53 roster cut.

Hey Tony: Was Charles Woodson involved in the coaching search? Any connections to Monken there?

-- Mike, Tipp City, OH

Hey Mike: Woodson was brought in as a small investor in the franchise in August. He has already realized a big return on that investment as the reported value of the Browns increased from $5+ billion to $6+ billion in the last year. To my knowledge, he had no role in the coaching search. Woodson’s investment in the Browns appears to be only financial, not emotional.

Hey Tony: Who is your top WR that Browns should draft?

-- Paul, Alva, FL

Hey Paul: It’s way early to commit. But to answer your question, I like Carnell Tate of Ohio State (who doesn’t?) and Denzel Boston of Washington.

Hey Tony: Now that Schwartz is likely gone, and with his value at its absolute peak, is there any possibility of the Browns restructuring Myles' contract to make him movable?

-- Ryan, Ashtabula, OH

Hey Ryan: Garrett’s contract extension signed last year includes a no-trade clause, which makes it harder to trade him because Garrett controls his destination. While Garrett’s recent social media post indicated sadness at the prospect of Schwartz leaving, we won’t know his true feelings until he tours Media Row at the Super Bowl this week.

Hey Tony: I don’t get Mason Graham with 5th pick. Good player but did AB do it to keep his job with a pick that would show up early? Appease Garret & his antics? Membou & Tet were both there. Can you explain it?

-- Bruce, Mentor, OH

Hey Bruce: At the time, I thought Graham was the right pick after the trade down to No. 5. It speaks to the influence of Schwartz on the Browns’ draft process. He felt the team needed to upgrade the defensive tackle position even after signing Maliek Collins in free agency. Yes, Membou and T-Mac had good first seasons, but so did Graham.