There were a lot of panicked people in the City of Brotherly Love after news that Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was almost retiring before being talked into staying.
During that period when the Eagles thought Fangio was going to retire, the team called Jonathan Gannon and Jim Schwartz to gauge their interest in potentially replacing him as defensive coordinator, but Fangio decided to come back. Well, it turns out Schwartz might still be available going into the 2027 offseason.
Multiple reports came out that Schwartz had sent a resignation letter to the Cleveland Browns, leaving the franchise as the defensive coordinator. Schwartz is expected to sit out the 2026 season and could be back in the market in 2027.
Jim Schwartz resigning opens perfect 2027 opportunity for Eagles
After weeks of just bad news hammering Eagles fans, there might finally be some light at the end of the tunnel with a future plan in place. If Nick Sirianni and Howie Roseman are smart, they would stay in contact with Schwartz about potentially replacing Fangio in 2027 if Fangio decides to retire.
Schwartz was the Eagles' defensive coordinator from 2016 through 2020 and helped the franchise win its first Super Bowl in 2017. In three of those five seasons, the defense finished in the top 15 in total defense and points allowed.
It's clear the Eagles still have interest in him, and it's easy to see why: the Browns were second in the NFL in total defense despite winning just five games. Everyone who needs a defensive coordinator will be going after Schwartz in 2027.
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This offseason taught the Eagles a very important lesson: they need to have a backup plan in case Fangio retires. There's no perfect backup plan than Schwartz, who is on the same level as Fangio in terms of greatness as a defensive coordinator.