Browns rumor gives Steelers, 49ers and Chargers elite coordinator option

The Los Angeles Chargers, San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers are all looking for a new defensive coordinator.

The Steelers did not retain their assistant coaches after the resignation of Mike Tomlin, and they really needed a change at the position, anyway.

Both the Chargers and 49ers lost their defensive coordinators to head-coach jobs, as Robert Saleh was hired by the Tennessee Titans and Jesse Minter was hired by the Baltimore Ravens.

Following the Browns' reported decision to hire Todd Monken as their next head coach, it looks like there will be an elite defensive coordinator hitting the market.

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Cleveland's defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz was none too pleased about being passed over for the Browns head-coach gig and is likely to leave the franchise as a result.

"After the Browns informed DC Jim Schwartz this morning they were passing him over to hire Todd Monken as head coach, Schwartz was visibly upset, said goodbyes in the building and told other coaches he’s not coming back," Pelissero reported.

Schwartz is one of the most respected defensive minds in the NFL, and for good reason, as he's been at the helm of multiple elite defenses during his career.

When it comes to the 49ers, the expectation is the team will promote Gus Bradley, something head coach Kyle Shanahan hinted at after Saleh left.

"Gus [Bradley] is the obvious one to everyone, and is to us too," Shanahan said. "Gus would be the main internal candidate. We feel very fortunate to get Gus and great about that."

We would still expect that to happen, but perhaps the Niners will consider Schwartz over Bradley now that he's seemingly available.

If the Chargers were to hire Schwartz, they would have arguably the best defensive-offensive coordinator pairing in the NFL with Schwartz and Mike McDaniel.

If Schwartz really wants to stick it to his old team, he could go to the Steelers, but it remains to be seen if new head coach Mike McCarthy is open to bringing him aboard. We would suspect he will be.

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