PHILADELPHIA – Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz plans to take the year off from coaching in 2021 as he considers retiring, sources told ESPN.
Philadelphia will be in the market for a new defensive coordinator as it embarks on what promises to be a low season of significant changes for the 4-10-1 team.
Schwartz, 54, plans to let his contract expire. He has undergone a few minor surgeries in the past year, including hip and eye surgery, and believes it is in his best interest to move away from the daily grind of coaching, a source said.
In 2015, he also took a one-year sabbatical after being fired from Buffalo Bills defense coordinator and worked with the NFL’s services division in an advisory role.
Schwartz joined Doug Pederson’s staff in 2016 and helped deliver the city its first Super Bowl title a year later. The Eagles’ defense finished No. 1 against the series and fourth in points allowed (18.4) during the 2017 championship run. Schwartz’s unit gave up a total of 17 points in playoff victories against the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings prior in the 41-33 Super Bowl shootout against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.
The Eagles were among the top 10 in rushing defense (1st, 93.4 YPG), red zone defense (2nd, 49.5%), third down defense (3rd, 35.4%), scoring defense (7th, 20.8 PPG) and takeaways (9th, 94th) during its first four seasons.
Best known for having their defensive linemen pinned and attacking their ears, the Eagles are in the top five bagging in 2020.
Problems have crept up, especially in the past two seasons. An Achilles heel last season was the defense’s tendency to give up the big game, resulting in 15 games over 40 yards through the air, the second-worst in the NFL. In 2020, the group struggled to generate revenue, entering Week 17 with the second fewest interceptions (six).
Schwartz’s unit was again badly hit by injuries, with Fletcher Cox, Rodney McLeod, Derek Barnett, Avonte Maddox and Darius Slay among those missing out on time in the second half of the season.
“Obviously, his defense has historically been the best defenses in the National Football League – of course, when guys are healthy and all,” said coach Doug Pederson this week. “Our relationship is great. I think as the season went on this year, I thought the defense really did some really good things for us and kept the offense in these football games here on the run, creating takeaways and the run game. a little hindered. from our adversaries, things of that nature. “
Schwartz got his start in the NFL in 1993 as a staff scout for then Cleveland Browns coach Bill Belichick. He worked as a coach of Detroit Lions for five years (2009-13) and helped the team to its first playoff berth since 1999 in 2011.
He also served as the defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans (2001-2008) and Bills (2014).
During his time with Tennessee, the Titans earned six playoff berths, played in two AFC Championship Games, and appeared in Super Bowl XXXIV.