In an ideal world, Robert Saleh would have stayed with the San Francisco 49ers as defensive coordinator for at least another season instead of opting to take the Tennessee Titans' head-coaching gig.
But Saleh did leave, and the Niners are again on the hunt for a new coordinator for the fourth time in as many years.
Yes, Shanahan alluded to the strong possibility of an internal candidate, assistant head coach Gus Bradley, getting promoted to keep the defensive scheme intact, and Bradley has the advantage of both already knowing his players and stemming from the same coaching tree.
Yet that's far from automatic, and Shanahan would equally be wise to look at external candidates.
One, in particular, the Cleveland Browns' current defensive coordinator, Jim Schwartz.
Except, there's a serious catch with a potential problem.
Browns' inaction in head-coaching hire could deny 49ers a shot at Jim Schwartz
Schwartz has popped up as a possible Saleh replacement for Shanahan already, particularly in light of the former regularly fielding good defenses in Cleveland despite the clear lack of offensive talent. And, historically, Schwartz has mostly held Shanahan's offense in check over the years.
However, after firing head coach Kevin Stefanski after a frustrating 5-12 campaign last year, the Browns have yet to name a replacement.
And that delay is costing San Francisco a potential shot.
According to a report from CBS Sports' Aditi Kinkhabwala, Schwartz remains in the running for Cleveland's head-coaching vacancy and would likely accept it:
What is going on with Cleveland's head coach search? @AKinkhabwala: "Don't be surprised if it is Jim Schwartz but it's not necessarily settling." pic.twitter.com/6bRUqmKXnB
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 27, 2026
"I can tell you there's definitely a contingent within the Browns building that likes this idea [of promoting Schwartz]," Kinkhabwala said.
However, the coordinator appears to be in direct competition with another candidate, Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, who has also interviewed with Cleveland multiple times now.
Should Scheelhaase get the nod, Schwartz could remain in place. Or he might depart. We don't know.
Neither do the 49ers.
For now, it appears as if any decision the Niners have about pursuing Schwartz is entirely dependent upon whatever the Browns elect to do.
And they're taking their sweet time.
Editor's update: Per ESPN, the Browns are hiring former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken to be their head coach.