Jim Schwartz, 49ers, and the DC Dilemma: Fit or Future Move?
The San Francisco 49ers are staring down another offseason of transition on the defensive side of the ball, and one name that keeps coming up is Jim Schwartz. The veteran defensive coordinator, currently with the Cleveland Browns, has been floated as a potential fit in the Bay Area - and the conversation around him is heating up.
Let’s start with what we know: Kyle Shanahan respects Schwartz. That much is clear. But respect doesn’t always translate to fit, and that’s where things get complicated.
The 49ers' defense isn’t built like Schwartz’s typical units. San Francisco’s front is designed to win with four - no need for elaborate blitz packages or exotic disguises.
The defensive line’s job is straightforward: get after the quarterback. Behind them, the linebackers - led by the ever-reliable Fred Warner - clean up in coverage and against the run.
The safeties? They’re the erasers, the last line of defense who keep everything in front of them.
That’s not exactly Schwartz’s M.O. He’s known for aggressive, blitz-heavy schemes that thrive on disruption and chaos.
It’s a style that’s worked for him - just ask the Browns, who rode his defense to a dominant 2025 campaign. But it’s also a style that doesn’t necessarily align with how the Niners have built their personnel.
Still, there’s another layer to this conversation. Richard Sherman, who knows the 49ers' defensive culture inside and out, sees a bigger picture when it comes to Schwartz. On his podcast, Sherman floated the idea that a high-profile coordinator gig - like one with San Francisco - could be Schwartz’s ticket back to a head coaching job.
“If Schwartz goes to another team, a contender who’s out of a defensive coordinator right now, I think he has a head coach job within the next two years,” Sherman said. And he didn’t shy away from naming names. “By contender, I’m thinking of the San Francisco 49ers.”
Sherman also pointed to the 49ers’ recent track record of turning defensive coordinators into head coaches. Robert Saleh made the leap.
DeMeco Ryans followed. Even Jeff Hafley, who was on staff back in 2018, is now running the show in Miami.
It’s not just a coincidence - it’s a pattern. And for someone like Schwartz, that kind of pipeline could be appealing.
But the 49ers aren’t only looking at Schwartz. According to team insider Grant Cohn, there are other candidates in the mix, and one name stands out: Raheem Morris.
The former Rams defensive coordinator and one-time head coach brings experience and a Super Bowl ring - not to mention familiarity with the NFC West. For Cohn, Morris is the guy to beat.
Mock Draft Moves: Filling Gaps with Speed, Size, and Power
While the coaching carousel spins, the front office is already looking ahead to April. A new three-round mock draft offers a glimpse into how the 49ers might address some key needs - and it starts with a dynamic playmaker.
K.C. Concepcion is the name to watch at wide receiver.
He’s not just quick - he’s twitchy, explosive, and deadly after the catch. Whether it was at Texas A&M or NC State, Concepcion carved out a role as a reliable target underneath, with the ability to line up inside or out.
In Kyle Shanahan’s offense, that kind of versatility is gold. His burst out of breaks and ability to rack up YAC (yards after catch) make him a natural fit in a system that thrives on timing and space.
Next up: the trenches. Caleb Tiernan is a mountain of a man - 6'7", 329 pounds - and he brings the kind of size and strength that offensive line coaches dream about.
But it’s not just about brawn. Tiernan has the hand usage and awareness to operate in both gap and zone schemes, which is crucial for a 49ers team that mixes up its run looks.
He’s raw, but the tools are there.
And then there’s the edge. The 49ers learned the hard way in 2025 that their pass-rush depth wasn’t where it needed to be.
Enter Anthony Lucas. At 6'5", 275 pounds, Lucas has the frame and physicality to be a problem off the edge.
He’s got heavy hands, a strong base, and the kind of speed-to-power transition that defensive line coaches love. He may not be a Day 1 starter, but he’s the kind of player who can grow into a key role - and fast.
What’s Next in the Bay?
The 49ers are in a familiar position: one of the NFL’s most talented rosters, but with key decisions looming. Whether it’s choosing the right defensive coordinator or hitting on the right prospects in the draft, the margin for error is razor-thin when you’re chasing a Super Bowl.
Jim Schwartz might be a respected name, but scheme fit matters. Raheem Morris brings experience, but so do others. And while the draft offers a chance to reload, it’s also about finding the right pieces for a team that’s built to win now.
One thing’s for sure: the 49ers aren’t standing still. And with the right moves, they won’t just be back in the playoff picture - they’ll be right in the thick of the title chase.