Schwartz to step away after Sunday’s game
Jim Schwartz is down to his last out.
The veteran defensive coordinator and fan of baseball metaphors is stepping away from his job with the Eagles after their Sunday night finale against the Washington Football Team, sources confirmed.
Schwartz has been a head coach or a defensive coordinator in the NFL for 19 seasons, the last five in charge of the Eagle defense.
While reports speculated that the 54-yearold Schwartz could retire from coaching, the immediate action is getting away coaching in 2021.
This has been one of Schwartz’s most frustrating seasons, the Eagles ranking among the league leaders in sacks yet near the cellar in interceptions and takeaways. To Schwartz, a defensive coordinator is what the team’s record is and the Eagles (4-10-1) have double-digit losses for the first time since 2012.
The Eagles have been shelled for 500 or more yards in consecutive losses. Last week 33-yearold retread Andy Dalton scorched the Eagles with 377 yards and three touchdown passes to lead the Dallas Cowboys to a 37-17 triumph that eliminated the Birds from playoff contention.
Cornerback Darius “Big Play” Slay, who Schwartz lobbied for has just one interception. The Eagles
shipped third and fifthround picks to the Detroit Lions for Slay, who Schwartz drafted in 2013. Slay also was signed to a three-year $50 million contract.
Recent hip and eye surgeries, per reports, made it easier to step away. Limited practice time, virtual rather than team meetings with players, multiple injuries, particularly in the back end, daily COVID-19 testing and the overall lack of time for team bonding due to the league’s coronavirus pandemic protocols wore Schwartz down.
The Eagles are tied for the league lead with eight unnecessary roughness penalties, all but one of those on the defense, tied for sixth with 11 defensive pass interference penalties and fifth with seven offsides.
Defensive tackle Malik Jackson leads the Eagles with eight penalties, three for unnecessary
roughness. Defensive end Derek Barnett leads the club with two offsides penalties, cornerback Avonte Maddox with three interference penalties.
Schwartz compiled a 29-51 record as head coach of the Lions from 2009-2013, reaching the playoffs in 2011.
Schwartz was defensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans from 200108, and the Buffalo Bills in 2014.
The Eagles will be without Barnett (calf), defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (neck), safety Jalen Mills (COVID-19) and linebacker Duke Riley (biceps), among others in their finale against the WFT at Lincoln Financial Field.
For a guy who used baseball analogies to make points at his weekly media availability, stepping away from the sport is going to be a whole new ball game for Schwartz.