Raiders Eye Jim Schwartz as Defensive Coordinator Drama Unfolds in Cleveland
The Las Vegas Raiders are still hunting for a new defensive coordinator, and one name just won’t go away: Jim Schwartz.
Schwartz, who recently stepped down from his role with the Cleveland Browns, is at the center of a growing buzz around the league. Even though he walked away from the Browns, he’s still under contract through 2026, with a team option for 2027 - and that creates a complicated situation.
He hasn’t been released from his deal, and NFL rules don’t allow teams to trade assistant coaches. So, how could this even work?
Let’s rewind for a second. Schwartz was reportedly a finalist for Cleveland’s head coaching job, a position that ultimately went to former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
That decision didn’t sit well with Schwartz. In fact, sources say he was furious - and that frustration played a big role in his decision to resign.
But more than a week after his departure, the talk around Schwartz and the Raiders hasn’t cooled off. In fact, it’s only heating up. The connection makes sense: Las Vegas is in the market for a proven defensive mind, and Schwartz, a Super Bowl-winning coordinator with a reputation for building tough, aggressive defenses, fits that bill.
So what’s the holdup? Well, technically, Cleveland still holds Schwartz’s rights.
There’s a scenario being floated where the Raiders and Browns could work out a deal - not directly involving Schwartz, but potentially as part of a larger trade. The idea would be to quietly include compensation that would pave the way for Schwartz to join Las Vegas once Cleveland officially parts ways with him.
There’s also another, more unconventional route Schwartz could explore. He could try to return to the Browns - essentially walking back his resignation now that the team is moving on with a new head coach.
It’s a bit of a “George Costanza” move, but if he were to say he changed his mind, Cleveland would be in a tough spot. They’d have to either reinstate him, release him, or risk a standoff that might require league intervention.
At the heart of all this is a mutual interest. The Raiders reportedly want Schwartz, and Schwartz is believed to want the Raiders.
That mutual desire could be enough to push this saga toward a resolution - especially once the Browns fill their defensive coordinator vacancy. When that domino falls, expect the Schwartz situation to come to a head.
For now, it’s a waiting game. But if the Raiders can pull this off, they’d be landing a veteran defensive architect with a track record of turning units into top-tier performers. And for a team trying to build a tougher identity on that side of the ball, that could be a game-changer.