There’s no shortage of intrigue around Jim Schwartz’s next move, and for good reason. With the seasoned defensive mind expected to exit Cleveland after being passed over for the Browns' head coaching job in favor of Todd Monken, several teams with coaching vacancies on the defensive side of the ball are reportedly circling. Among them: the Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders, and San Francisco 49ers.
Now, let’s be clear - Schwartz isn’t being eyed as a head coach here. The buzz is around him stepping in as a defensive coordinator, a role in which he’s built a strong reputation over nearly two decades.
Schwartz, now 59, has 17 years of DC experience under his belt and has consistently fielded tough, disciplined units. Whether it was his early days with the Tennessee Titans or his more recent success with the Philadelphia Eagles, Schwartz has a track record of elevating defenses - and fast.
His work in Cleveland speaks volumes. Even as the Browns cycled through offensive struggles, Schwartz’s defense was a stabilizing force.
The unit was physical, opportunistic, and often the only reason the team stayed in games. That kind of impact doesn’t go unnoticed, especially by teams looking to pair a young or offensive-minded head coach with a veteran presence on the other side of the ball.
That’s where Arizona and Las Vegas come in. Both franchises appear to be leaning toward offensive coordinators for their head coaching hires - Mike LaFleur from the Rams for the Cardinals, and Klint Kubiak from the Seahawks for the Raiders.
If that’s the direction they go, bringing in Schwartz as the defensive coordinator would be a smart, stabilizing move. He’d bring instant credibility and leadership to a young staff, not to mention a proven defensive system.
But don’t sleep on the 49ers in this race. With Robert Saleh heading to Tennessee to take the reins as the Titans’ new head coach, Kyle Shanahan suddenly finds himself with a major hole to fill on his staff.
Schwartz would be a natural fit in San Francisco - a team that’s built its identity around physicality and defensive dominance. Plugging in a veteran mind like Schwartz could help maintain the continuity and toughness that’s defined the Niners during Shanahan’s tenure.
Bottom line: Schwartz is one of the most respected defensive coaches in the league, and he’s available. For teams like the Cardinals, Raiders, and 49ers - all with different needs but similar aspirations - landing him as a defensive coordinator could be a game-changing move.