Denver Broncos: 5 head coach candidates to replace Vance Joseph

3. Jim Schwartz

Jim Schwartz did not have a great go at it in his first time as an NFL head coach with the Detroit Lions.

In five seasons with the team, Schwartz was 29-51 with one playoff appearance.

Since he left Detroit, however, Schwartz has really re-established himself as a top-flight defensive coordinator with both the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles.

With the Buffalo Bills in 2014, Schwartz orchestrated the league’s fourth best scoring defense and fourth-best defense in terms of yardage allowed.

In 2016, he joined the Philadelphia Eagles, where he continued to show off his skills calling a defense. Philadelphia was 7-9 that season but ranked 12th in the league in scoring defense and was in the top 10 in turnovers, rushing touchdowns allowed, and first downs allowed.

In 2017, Philly’s defense took a major leap, ranking fourth in the NFL in points and yards, number one in run defense, number four in interceptions, and fifth in first downs allowed.

In 2018, the Eagles’ defense has lost its way a bit under Schwartz, at least statistically. Though they have turned the heat up as of late, they have dropped into the bottom five of the league in yards allowed, but are still 16th in points allowed.

One major reason for their struggles? Secondary injuries have prevented the Eagles from turning the ball over as much as they did the past couple of seasons, and it has really hindered their production.

All of this to say, Schwartz is going to be a candidate this offseason for head coaching jobs, but his niche may be as a defensive coordinator. If he is considered by the Broncos, he would have to bring a top-notch offensive coordinator along with him.