Cleveland Browns seek interview with a familiar DC candidate

HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 26: Defensive passing game coordinator Cory Undlin of the Houston Texans reacts in the second half against the San Francisco 49ers at NRG Stadium on October 26, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken has been busy during his first full week on the job building out his coaching staff.

The biggest, and perhaps most important hire, will be at defensive coordinator, a role that came open after Jim Schwartz walked out on the final two years of his contract after the realization that the Browns, just like every other NFL team, did not see him as head coach material.

So far, Monken has interviewed, or requested an interview, with:

• Jonathan Cooley, defensive pass game coordinator for the Carolina Panthers
• Mike Ruttenberg, defensive pass game coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons
• Charlie Bullen, interim defensive coordinator for the New York Giants
• Aubrey Pleasant, assistant head coach and defensive pass game coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams
• Jason Carver, linebackers coach for the Browns
• Ephraim Banda, safeties coach for the Browns

Another name was added on Thursday with the news that the Browns have formally requested an interview with Cory Undlin, defensive pass game coordinator for the Houston Texans.

That is according to Mary Kay Cabot at cleveland.com.

#Browns have requested an interview with Texans pass game coordinator Cory Undlin for DC, source says. They interviewed #Falcons defensive pass game coordinator Mike Rutenberg for the job on Wednesday.

- Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) February 12, 2026

Undlin has spent the past three seasons with the Texans, and was part of a defensive staff that oversaw a 2025 defense that was No. 1 in total yards allowed (277.2), No. 6 in passing yards allowed (183.5), No. 4 in rushing yards allowed (93.7), No. 2 in scoring defense (17.4 points per game), and tied for No. 7 in sacks (47).

Monken is familiar with Undlin after the two worked together with the Jacksonville Jaguars for two years (2009 and 2010). Undlin also was part of Schwartz' defensive staff with the Philadelphia Eagles for four seasons (2016 to 2019), which means he is familiar with the defensive schemes that Schwartz used so succesfully during his time with the Browns.

With Browns DC Jim Schwartz now out, as we said last week, Texans PGC Cory Undlin becomes a key name to watch. Undlin was with Todd Monken in Jacksonville in 2009 and 2010.

Will be interesting to see if the Raiders pursue Schwartz next week.

- Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) February 6, 2026

Undlin spent a four-year stretch with the Browns from 2005 to 2008 as part of head coach Romeo Crennel's staff, starting as a defensive quality coach before moving to assistant special teams coach and then defensive backs coach.

Undlin is the fourth of the five external candidates who have served as a defensive pass game coordinator, so it will be interesting to see what Monken might have to say about that particulart part of the search once he actually makes a hire for the position.