The Cleveland Browns’ defense has been nothing short of amazing this season, and that could mean they’ll have to part ways with the system’s architect this offseason. The NFL’s “Black Monday” is less than a week away, and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz could get a second chance at a head coaching job in 2024.
The Browns arguably have the league’s best defense this season. Schwartz has been an exceptional playcaller to keep the team in playoff contention after they lost quarterback Deshaun Watson for the season.
The Cleveland Browns could lose their DC this offseason
According to Scott Petrak of Browns Zone, Schwartz said he’d love to have a chance to prove he’s the best coach in the NFL by taking another head coaching job:
“Well, first of all, I’m really happy here,” Schwartz said Thursday. “I love this organization. I love the city of Cleveland. That was such a great atmosphere — 31 years in the NFL, that was one of my top-five atmospheres that Thursday night.
“But I’d say this: In any job that you do, you always aspire to the top of that profession. And I’m no different there.”
Schwartz, 57, was referring to the win over the Jets last week that clinched a playoff spot.
Schwartz hasn’t been a head coach in over a decade. He served as the Detroit Lions head coach from 2009-13. Schwartz went 29-51 during his five seasons in Detroit. The Lions made the Wild Card for the 2011 season, his lone postseason as a head coach.
Schwartz has had more success in the postseason since the Lions fired him. As the Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator, he won Super Bowl LII over the New England Patriots.
But his most outstanding assistant coaching achievement might be how he’s kept the Browns’ defense motivated to lead the team to the playoffs in a year where the offense has underperformed due to injuries at quarterback.
Schwartz doesn’t want to let that opportunity go to waste this offseason.
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