According to a report from NFL insider Tom Pelissero, the Cleveland Browns are going to interview Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz for their head coaching vacancy, following the sacking of Freddie Kitchens.
This is somewhat an unexpected development. the 53-year-old has been rumoured in the past for various head coaching opportunities but there’s been no recent buzz around him.
That is, until now.
A lot of Eagles fans would be quick to say “Take him Browns!” But they shouldn’t be so quick to want to see Schwartz leave Philly. The Eagles’ defence allowed 17 points or fewer in eight of their last 10 games this season. The Eagles have also allowed the fewest home points per game in the league since Schwartz was hired back in 2016. He can be frustrating, sure, but the Eagles could do a lot worse at defensive coordinator.
Schwartz began his NFL career with the Browns when he was hired as a personnel scout in 1993. He spent three years in Cleveland before landing his first NFL coaching gig with the Baltimore Ravens.
Another potential Schwartz connection to Cleveland could involve a front office change. With the Browns firing general manager John Dorsey last week, there’s talk that Eagles vice president of football operations Andrew Berry could return to Cleveland as their new GM. Berry could want to hire Schwartz after getting to know him for a year in Philadelphia.
If the Eagles were to lose Schwartz, they’ll obviously have to find a new defensive coordinator. There isn’t an obvious in-house replacement so the team would have to look outside their current staff for a suitable contender.