The Cleveland Browns announced on Wednesday morning that they are interviewing defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz for their open head coaching position. Four of the five vacancies around the league have already been filled.

"I love the fact that guys around the league and teams around the league are looking to my staff for possible head coaching candidates, Frank Reich a couple of years ago and now Jim. Jim's obviously been a former head coach," head coach Doug Pederson said on Wednesday morning during his end-of-season wrap-up press conference with Howie Roseman.

"I think he would make a tremendous head coach again with his leadership and what he has brought and how I've been able to lean on him and his experiences as a former head coach. Jim's done an outstanding job with our defense, obviously, the improvement we saw throughout the course of this season. I'm excited for him and his opportunity and wish him the best."

Schwartz was hired by Pederson in 2016 to be the Eagles' defensive coordinator. Schwartz started his NFL career as a college/pro scout with the Browns from 1996-98. He was the head coach of the Detroit Lions from 2009-13 and guided the Lions to their first playoff appearance in over a decade in 2011 when Detroit finished 10-6.