Report: Cleveland Browns request an interview with Jim Schwartz

The Cleveland Browns seemed like they had their list of head coach candidates finalized, but they reportedly now want to meet with Jim Schwartz.

The Cleveland Browns are not done looking for candidates for their head coaching vacancy, as they have requested an interview with Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Schwartz joins a list of six other candidates, which originally had former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy as a candidate until he was hired by the Dallas Cowboys on Monday. The Browns have already conducted five interviews, with two more scheduled for this week.

Schwartz has been in the NFL since 1993, starting with the Browns as a personnel scout until 1995. He then started his coaching career in 1996 with the Baltimore Ravens. He was named the head coach of the Detroit Lions in 2009, but was fired by the Lions after the 2013 season.

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During his five seasons with the Lions, Schwartz guided Detroit to the playoffs one time, but lost during the Wild Card round. It was the only season he guided the Lions to a season above .500. He finished with an overall record of 29-51 and a winning percentage of .363.

Since his time with the Lions, Schwartz spent one season as the defensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills in 2014. He did not have a coaching job in 2015, but was hired as the Eagles defensive coordinator in 2016 and has been with Philadelphia since.

The Philadelphia defense has been inconsistent under the 53-year-old’s watch. They have finished as good as fourth in total defense in 2017, but as low as 23rd in total defense in 2018. However, they have consistently been in the top-15 scoring defense, finishing as the fourth-best in 2017.

In 2019, the Philadelphia defense finished with the 10th-best defense in total yards and 15th in scoring defense. The Eagles defense had the 19th-ranked passing defense this season, but the third-best rushing defense.

The Browns are clearly doing their due diligence at this point and are likely filling a day they do not have an interview scheduled. The only other confirmed interview date for the Browns this week is Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels on Friday. Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski will likely hold his interview on Thursday.

The Browns are the only team to have reportedly requested an interview with Schwartz this offseason. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that the Browns’ interview with Schwartz will happen “in the next few days.”