Exclusive: “Jim Schwartz Wants Vegas” — Raiders Emerge as Clear Landing Spot After Browns Exit

The Cleveland Browns, who considered longtime defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz for their head coaching vacancy before recently hiring Todd Monken, have been working diligently to try to retain Schwartz on Monken's staff, but league sources have confirmed he has officially left the franchise. 

Multiple NFL executives whose teams have been engaged in hiring new coaching staffs indicated that Schwartz is thought of very highly by the Raiders and rookie head coach Klint Kubiak, and they expect that's where the well-regarded defensive play caller will land. 

Raiders minority owner Tom Brady, a future Hall of Fame quarterback who also studies the league closely as a broadcaster for FOX, is also a strong supporter of Schwartz, according to sources close to SportsBoom, and the Raiders have routinely been willing to spend heavily on both head coaches and assistant coaches, with that not seen as a hurdle here. 

What Does Schwartz Want?

The NFL's coaching cycle is winding down, and most staffs are being rounded out. 

While the Raiders lack obvious talent on defense right now, beyond disgruntled pass rusher Maxx Crosby. 

Sources have told SportsBoom that Schwartz is more than open to helping Brady and Kubiak rebuild that unit after Pete Carroll failed in one year there as head coach (and defensive mastermind).

"We love what he does, but (the Browns) weren't going to let (Schwartz) out of his deal to come to us," said a high-ranking official from another club. 

"Schwartz wants to be in Vegas. That's where he's going to end up."

A high-ranking official from another club, also involved in hiring a coaching staff, said: "We hear he's wants Vegas and they want him. The Browns don't want to let him go, but how can you force him to work for Monken after they passed him over for the job? They've let guys leave for a lateral move before. I think he gets out."

With Kubiak lacking expertise on the offensive side of the ball, and having no former head coaching experience at any level, the Raiders believe it's imperative to surround him with uber-experienced assistants. 

Schwartz took the Lions to the playoffs during his head coaching stint there, at a time when even a .500 season with that franchise was seen as an accomplishment, and has been a long-coveted defensive coordinator since rising to that position on Jeff Fisher's staff in Tennessee in 2001.