49ers interested in replacing Robert Saleh with Browns DC amid Todd Monken fallout

The San Francisco 49ers, for the second time in the last five years, lost defensive coordinator Robert Saleh to a head coaching job.

Now, with an open DC job, the 49ers and Kyle Shanahan need to find a great defensive mind to help lead a defense in need of massive improvement for next year. Fortunately, a great candidate might have just become available thanks to the Cleveland Browns.

According to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, the 49ers are likely to have interest in soon-to-be-former Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. The 49ers have a shot at Schwartz thanks to Todd Monken being hired, and Schwartz's reaction to that news.

49ers likely to have interest in Browns DC Jim Schwartz

"The 49ers, among others, would likely have interest in Jim Schwartz if and when he becomes available," Pelissro reports.

The 49ers' interest in Schwartz isn't a surprise, as any team would love to have the coordinator who's helped turn the Browns defense into one of the better units in the league.

But he's still under contract, so why would the 49ers have a chance at hiring him? Well, the Browns hired Monken, the former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator, to be their new head coach.

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With Schwartz in the running for the job, getting passed up on for Monken had the veteran defensive coordinator upset. He's told the Browns he's not coming back and is not going to be their defensive coordinator going forward.

For the 49ers and many other teams with open defensive coordinator spots, Schwartz would be an incredible hire. He won the Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles back in 2017, and has been a great DC for the Browns during his tenure.

There are very few candidates who can compare to Schwartz this offseason, and the 49ers could be a very strong contender to land Schwartz after his time in Cleveland is, apparently, coming to an abrupt end.

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