No one can dispute the impact that Jim Schwartz had on this Cleveland defense, the Cleveland franchise and each player that played for him this season.
The injuries that the Browns encountered this year have been well-documented. The offense was banged up at pretty much every major position, but the Browns continued to find ways to win football games. How'd they do it?
Simple, the Browns defense.
Cleveland's defense in 2023 was historic on many levels. They were among the league leaders in total yards given up, rushing yards and passing yards.
The Browns' defense finished the season giving up a league-leading 270.2 total yards per game and just 164.7 passing yards per game. The 270.2 yards per game is, on average, 19.6 yards better than the second-place Chiefs.
What's most impressive about what this defense accomplished is how each of the members of the defense thrived. Every member of the secondary stepped their game up. Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome and MJ Emerson all had their best years as professionals.
Juan Thornhill battled injuries all season but Grant Delpit had a career season and undrafted free agent Ronnie Hickman played as a top-5 safety in the NFL after being thrust into the starting lineup.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Sione Takitaki both had their best years in the NFL. JOK even catapulted himself into the conversation of a top-5 linebacker in all of football.
Then, the play of the defensive line cannot be understated. Myles Garrett is on the verge of winning Defensive Player of the Year, Dalvin Tomlinson, Maurice Hurst, Jordan Elliot, Za'Darius Smith, and even Alex Write all played pivotal roles on this team and performed at a high level.
The common thread between all of these guys is Jim Schwartz. Schwartz brought a defensive scheme to Cleveland that unlocked the best that these players had to offer.
Cleveland is lucky to have him back in the building for 2024 but on Thursday night, he is celebrated as the top assistant in all of the NFL.
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