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25_WEB_CESAIRE_HEADSHOT

Jacques Cesaire

Defensive Line

Biography

  • Joined the Browns in 2024. Brings 21 years of experience as an NFL player (nine) and coach (12). 
  • Last name is pronounced SEE-zair.
  • In 2025, DE Myles Garrett set the NFL single-season sack record with 23 and was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Garrett led the NFL in sacks (23) and tackles for a loss (33), while being named to his seventh Pro Bowl and his seventh Associated Press All-Pro selection (fifth with first team honors). The Browns finished fourth in the NFL in total defense, allowing just 283.6 yards per game. The Browns also led the NFL with 117 tackles for a loss and finished third with 53 sacks. The club's 53 sacks were the most all-time by a Browns team in a season.
  • In Cesaire's first season with the Browns, Garrett led the NFL with 22 tackles for a loss and finished second in the league with 14 sacks. Garrett was voted Associated Press first-team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl.
  • Served as the defensive coordinator for the National team during the 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl.
  • Joined the Browns after spending the previous two seasons as the defensive line coach in Houston (2022-23). Developed 2023 third overall draft pick DE Will Anderson, who was named the 2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. He set a Texans rookie record with seven sacks en route to being named to the Pro Bowl. DE Jonathan Greenard led the Texans with 12.5 sacks in 2023, as Houston set a franchise record with 46 sacks, while capturing the AFC South title. 
  • Spent two seasons (2020-21) as the assistant defensive line coach in Buffalo. The Bills led the NFL in both total defense (272.8 yards pe game) and scoring defense (17.0 points per game) in 2021. Buffalo won the AFC East title both seasons.
  • Prior to joining the Bills, spent 2015-19 as the defensive line coach at University of San Diego, where the Toreros won at least a share of the Pioneer Football League Championship each season. Coached DE Jonathan Petersen who became the FCS's all-time career sacks leader with 44 and was named the PFL 2017 Defensive Player of the Year.
  • As a player, entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent and spent nine seasons (2003-11) as a defensive end for the San Diego Chargers. Appeared in 125 games with 66 starts and totaled 220 tackles, 12.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
  • Played collegiately at Southern Connecticut State (1998-2002), finishing his career with 206 tackles, 21 sacks and four forced fumbles. As a senior was named the 2002 Northeast-10 Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year and earned All-American honors from the AFCA. Inducted to the school's Hall of Fame in 2019.
  • Born in Worcester, Mass., earned a degree in liberal studies from Southern Connecticut State.
  • Has a daughter, Viviana, and two sons, Desmond and Cassius.

Jacques Cesaire's Playing Background:

2003-11           San Diego Chargers, defensive end

Jacques Cesaire's Coaching Background:

2015-19           University of San Diego, defensive line coach

2020-21           Buffalo Bills, assistant defensive line coach

2022-23           Houston Texans, defensive line coach

2024-               Cleveland Browns, defensive line coach

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