As the Las Vegas Raiders start to shape their vision for the 2026 season, one thing is clear: the franchise is entering a pivotal offseason. Klint Kubiak is reportedly set to take the reins as the new head coach, though nothing will be official until after Super Bowl LX. But once that’s done, the real work begins - and one of the biggest questions looming is who Kubiak will bring in to build out his staff, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Kubiak, the son of former NFL head coach Gary Kubiak, has been around the league long enough to have a strong network. But the timing isn’t ideal.
Because Kubiak’s current team, the Seattle Seahawks, made it all the way to Week 18 in 2025, many of the top assistants around the NFL have already been scooped up. That narrows the pool - but not entirely.
One name that’s suddenly in play? Jim Schwartz.
Jim Schwartz: A Proven Defensive Architect Now on the Market
Schwartz is no stranger to NFL sidelines. He’s a former head coach with the Detroit Lions and has spent years crafting tough, disciplined defenses across the league.
Most recently, he led the Cleveland Browns’ defense to elite status. In 2023, the Browns ranked No. 1 in total yards allowed.
In 2025, they were fourth. Even with the Browns’ offensive struggles, Schwartz kept his unit consistently in the top half of the league in scoring defense.
That’s not a fluke - that’s a track record.
But things in Cleveland have taken a sharp turn. After head coach Kevin Stefanski was let go this offseason, the Browns opted to hire Todd Monken as their new head coach.
Schwartz, still under contract, was passed over. Reports suggest he wasn’t thrilled with how it all played out and has since said his goodbyes to the Browns’ facility - a sign that his time there may be up, even if the ink on his contract says otherwise.
Monken didn’t exactly smooth things over during his introductory press conference, either. He made pointed comments that seemed to shut the door on any potential reunion with Schwartz. That’s when the Raiders' situation starts to look interesting.
Could Schwartz Be Vegas-Bound?
With Patrick Graham heading to Pittsburgh to join the Steelers, the Raiders have a vacancy at defensive coordinator. And for a young, offensive-minded head coach like Kubiak, bringing in a veteran like Schwartz could be a game-changer.
Even without a direct connection between the two, the fit makes sense. Schwartz brings experience, intensity, and a proven ability to elevate a defense - all things the Raiders could use right now.
And if you're wondering how this might sit with the locker room, just ask Maxx Crosby.
The Raiders’ star edge rusher didn’t hold back when talking about Schwartz on his podcast, The Rush With Maxx Crosby. His admiration was loud and clear.
“I (expletive) with Jim Schwartz. I'm a huge Jim Schwartz fan,” Crosby said.
“He was a part of the Titans coaching staff when I made that first Pro Bowl with (Mike) Vrabel. He's a dog, and I grew up a Lions fan, and I remember him going at Harbaugh, and he's a fiery, great coordinator.
Loves the game, intense, an all-in type of guy.”
Crosby went on to highlight the consistency of Schwartz’s defenses, noting that it wasn’t a one-year wonder situation in Cleveland. Schwartz had his guys playing at a high level year in and year out, and that kind of stability is something any team would value - especially one trying to build a tough identity on defense.
The Timing Might Be Right
With many top assistants already off the board, and Schwartz seemingly on the outs in Cleveland, the stars may be aligning for a move to Las Vegas. Kubiak will need a strong counterpart to run the defense, and Schwartz checks every box: experience, credibility, and the kind of fire that resonates with players like Crosby.
It’s still early in the offseason, and plenty of dominoes are yet to fall. But if the Raiders want to make a splash and solidify their defensive identity under a first-time head coach, Jim Schwartz might just be the right man for the job.