Changes to the Philadelphia Eagles coaching staff have begun Saturday with NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reporting that Jim Schwartz won’t return as the team’s defensive coordinator. Schwartz has been the Eagles’ defensive coordinator since 2016. Schwartz intends to let his contract expire and take the year off as he is contemplating retirement.
Schwartz, 54, has spent 28 years in the NFL dating back to 1993 as the Cleveland Browns’ personal scout for then Browns head coach Bill Belichick. He would get a chance to be a head coach in 2009 with the Detroit Lions. He would go 29-51 in five years with one playoff appearance in 2011 with the Lions before being fired in 2013. After his firing, Schwartz would return as the defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills in 2014. He only lasted one season with the Bills.
Schwartz took 2015 off when he worked for the NFL as an officiating department to provide a coach’s perspective on officiating decisions. He had an opportunity to become the Miami Dolphins’ defensive coordinator in 2015, but he declined the job.
In 2016, Schwartz was brought in by new Eagles head coach Doug Pederson. A year later, his defense would help the Eagles win its first Super Bowl in franchise history. Since then, his defense has been riddled with injuries, and has worked with backups and practice squad players. The Eagles are currently 4-10-1 on the season and were eliminated from playoff contention last week.
The Eagles will wrap up the 2020 season tomorrow night at Lincoln Financial Field against the Washington Football Team at 8:20 pm on NBC.
