Raiders rumor gives new life to Jim Schwartz joining Las Vegas despite DC hire originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Before the Las Vegas Raiders hired Rob Leonard to be their next defensive coordinator, there was hope the team would hire Jim Schwartz instead.
Schwartz, who served as the Cleveland Browns' defensive coordinator for the last three years, decided to resign recently after he became disgruntled following the Browns' decision to pass on him for Todd Monken as head coach.
Rumors suggested the Raiders were eyeing Schwartz to be their defensive coordinator, but the Leonard hire ended that hope.
However, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio is helping to keep the door open for Schwartz to still join the Raiders.
According to his latest report, Florio hears that Schwartz could still land in Vegas in a different role, with Florio suggesting something like assistant head coach or senior defensive assistant.
“Based upon the people I’ve talked to since Rob Leonard was promoted to defensive coordinator, I’ve heard different opinions about this, but there is still a belief… that Schwartz could still end up with the Raiders,” Florio said on PFT Live.
“Assistant Head Coach Defense, Senior Defensive Assistant, something. They could still try to land him if and when the Browns release his rights,” Florio added. “I just think that Schwartz is too damn smart to give up, to cry ‘Uncle’ and walk away. If he wants to coach this year, there’s a way to pull it off and the simplest thing to do, once the Browns name a new defensive coordinator is to say ‘I’m back, baby. I’m back.'”
“It’s just something I’m going to keep an eye on," Florio continued. "I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I think it would be foolish to not keep an eye on this because there’s just enough there to make you say… ‘Are the Browns playing checkers while Jim Schwartz is playing chess?’ Let’s see how it plays out.”
As Florio notes, Schwartz is still under contract with the Browns, so they would have to allow him out of that contract to go elsewhere.
While Schwartz wouldn't be calling the plays, it still makes a ton of sense for the Raiders to hire him.
Lest we forget, Schwartz is one of the most respected defensive minds in the NFL and he did wonders for the Browns' defense. Having his input in and of itself will help the Raiders' defense.
Not to mention, having someone with Schwartz's wealth of experience as a head coach and defensive coordinator would be invaluable for a first-time defensive coordinator like Leonard and a first-time head coach like Klint Kubiak.
It's most certainly not outlandish to think Schwartz would take an advisory role in Las Vegas, as he once served as a senior defensive assistant with the Tennessee Titans for two seasons under then-head coach Mike Vrabel.
If Schwartz is open to taking the job as he waits for his next defensive coordinator or head coach opportunity, the Raiders shouldn't hesitate to bring him in.
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