Jim

Schwartz

Schwartz beat out Sean Desai, Dennard Wilson, and Brian Flores for the job and will take over a Cleveland defense that improved late in the season but was still among the worst units in the NFL in 2022. Only seven teams allowed a higher EPA per play than the Browns; no defense was worse against the run than Cleveland. Schwartz’s defenses have finished as top-ten run-stopping units in nine of his 14 seasons as a defensive coordinator. A former DC for the Bills, Eagles, and Titans and former head coach of the Lions, Schwartz will get a chance to improve a defense with all-world pass rusher Myles Garrett as its centerpiece.

Schwartz is one of the more decorated coaching candidates in the league, having spent five seasons as the Lions’ head coach (2009-2013) while also serving as defensive coordinator for the Titans, Bills, and Eagles before rejoining the Titans as a defensive assistant in 2021. Schwartz has helped lead several top-10 defenses during his time in the NFL and has coached up several All-Pro and Pro Bowl defensive linemen in his career.

New York’s front office and, in particular, coach Brian Daboll have also sat down with former Ravens DC Wink Martindale and Steelers defensive assistant Teryl Austin for interviews. Schwartz, 55, has had three separate stints as a defensive play-caller in the league, coordinating with the Titans (2001-08), Bills (2014), and Eagles (2016-20) throughout his career. The Colts also recently interviewed Schwartz for its DC vacancy.

Schwartz was the Lions’ head coach from 2009 to 2013 after nearly a decade as the Titans’ defensive coordinator. After his stint with the Lions and a one-year gig as the Bills defensive coordinator, he spent five years in the same role with the Eagles. Schwartz earned his first Super Bowl ring in Philly. If hired, Schwartz will be inheriting a defense that was top-10 in points allowed. The Colts are searching for a new defensive coordinator because of the departure of Matt Eberflus, who is now the Bears’ head coach.

Schwartz returns to Tennessee, where he served as the Titans’ defensive coordinator from 2001-2009 before becoming Detroit’s head coach. Schwartz, 57, will consult Titans defensive coordinator Shane Bowen. Pro Football Focus graded Tennessee as the league’s 16th best defense in 2020. Tennessee in 2021 will look to improve its pass rush, which ranked as one of the least effective in the NFL last year, posting the fourth lowest regular season sack rate.

Schwartz has been coaching in the NFL for 28 seasons and could enjoy an early retirement at 54 years old after winning a Super Bowl in 2017. The Eagles are expected to retain coach Doug Pederson, but Philly will be on the look out for a new defensive coordinator. Partially due to scheme and partially due to personnel, the Eagles were occasionally burned in one-on-one matchups on the outside in 2020. They ranked 13th in points allowed per drive.

Schwartz was the Lions’ head boss from 2009-13, leading the Lions to one playoff appearance with the only winning record of his tenure (10-6) in 2011 before being bounced on Wild Card weekend. Schwartz drew some interest from the Giants and Cardinals following the 2017 campaign, but Pat Shurmur and Vance Joseph got those jobs and have already been fired. Schwartz won a Super Bowl in Philly in the 2017 season.

Per Rapoport, the Lions’ front office and coaching staff are “barely talking,” and have been dealing with “big issues.” The issues in Detroit are far more on the coaching than personnel side, but Mayhew has struggled to stock his defense outside of the defensive line, and comprehensively failed to find receiving threats opposite Calvin Johnson. A total reset may do a talented roster well.

Schefter is arguably the most reliable NFL reporter out there, but this would be a big surprise after Detroit’s late-season collapse. NFL Network reported in mid-December that Schwartz would almost certainly be fired if the Lions missed the playoffs, and they were eliminated from contention last week. Toward the end of regulation, Schwartz cussed out fans for booing play calls. Schwartz’s record as Lions head coach is 29-47 (.382) with one one-and-done postseason berth.

Zimmer has a second interview set up with the Vikings this week and is also on the Titans’ radar. Schwartz and coach Marvin Lewis worked together in Baltimore back in the 1990s and remain friends. The early favorite to take over Cincinnati’s DC duties is LBs coach Paul Guenther. Schwartz has also been linked to the Browns’ DC job. He could also choose to take the 2014 season off.