Cowboys news: Latest rumors and notes around defensive coordinator search

Cowboys all but lose top DC option as second major coaching domino falls- Jerry Trotta, The Landry Hat

The Cowboys are staying patient in their DC search for several reasons.

Cowboys may not even get the chance to interview Jeff Ulbrich for DC job

“I think they’re waiting on that Ulbrich from Atlanta,” Broaddus said on the Doin’ Alright podcast. “I think they’re waiting to see who Atlanta hires. I think they want Jeff Ulbrich as their defensive coordinator.”

Broaddus even believes that Dallas would hire Ulbrich over Jim Leonhard, who is many fans’ top choice to replace Matt Eberflus.

“I’m not saying it with my chest out. But I’m saying it that I think they’re hopeful that Atlanta knocks out this head coaching search for them, and it determines if they want to keep Ulbrich or not. If we had Schotty on set right now and asked him, he probably wouldn’t say it on camera when the red light’s on.”

Regardless of where Ulbrich stands in the pecking order, it’s clear the Cowboys would give him a serious look if he managed to shake free from Atlanta.

It was speculated that Stefanski could bring Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz with him to Atlanta. The one roadblock there, though, is that Schwartz is getting a second interview with Cleveland for its head coaching vacancy, so he might not even leave the Dawg Pound.

Cowboys May Pass on a Bronco for Daronte Jones as Defensive Coordinator- Cody Warren, Inside The Star

Dallas may not have to wait for the playoffs to end to get their guy.

The Brian Flores Connection Matters

Another piece I can’t overlook is Daronte Jones’ time working with Brian Flores.

Flores is respected across the league for his attention to detail and aggressive mindset. You can see that influence in how Minnesota disguises coverage and times pressure. That style of defense is what Dallas lacked all season.

If you can’t get Brian Flores. Why not get a Flores disciple?

Why I’d Lean Daronte Jones over Jim Leonhard

I respect Jim Leonhard a lot. He’s organized, disciplined, and sharp. But when I stack the two side by side, Jones’ recent NFL results against high-volume passing attacks carry a little more weight.

That doesn’t make Leonhard a bad option. I would be ecstatic with him as the defensive coordinator. It just highlights a choice: the Vikings Flores style structure could prove to be more disruptive with what the Cowboys offer personnel wise.

Each of these coaches have experience as a defensive coordinator at the college level, but Daronte Jones has a larger body of work.

Trade George Pickens? What draft picks could Cowboys get in return?- K.D. Drummond, Cowboys Wire

Dallas has a lot of options this offseason, trading Pickens is one of them.

Next, a look at comparable trades from the last few offseasons.

2025: Seahawks trade DK Metcalf to Steelers

Metcalf, 27 at the time, was a two-time Pro Bowler across his six years in Seattle. He had three 1,000-yard campaigns, barely missing a fourth among three with 900 or more. Seattle sent him and a sixth to Pittsburgh for a second and a seventh.

Metcalf Trade Chart Value: 365 points (approximately pick No. 53.5 overall)

2023: Panthers trade DJ Moore to Bears

Moore was traded heading into his Age 26 season, with three 1,100-plus seasons on his resume. This one is unique as analysis has to include the “trading up for a QB” tax. The deal was No. 1 overall (3000) for No. 9 (1350), No. 61 (292), next year 1st (800), next year 2nd (350), and Moore.

So let’s hypothetically say 400 points the QB tax., leaving a 600-point value for Moore.

Moore Trade Chart Value: 600 points (approximately pick No. 31)

The Cowboys are interviewing defensive coaches who gave Dak Prescott fits this season- Dan Rogers, Blogging The Boys

If you can’t beat ‘em, hire ‘em.

Obviously, these candidates have piqued the interest of the Cowboys, with several of them having impressive résumés, and some continuing on an upward trend of coaching success. One interesting aspect of this group is that two-thirds of these nine candidates faced off against the Cowboys this past season, and most of them caused problems for the Cowboys’ offense. Granted, many factors contribute to a team’s defensive success, including the talent on the roster and the influence of other defensive coaches, but we thought it would still be interesting to take a look at how each of these coaching candidates fared against the Cowboys this season. In particular, here are some interesting stats for Dak Prescott this season:

Prescott had four games this year where he didn’t throw a touchdown:

Week 1 against the Eagles (Christian Parker)

Week 8 against the Broncos (Jim Leonhard)

Week 15 against the Vikings (Daronte Jones)

Week 18 against the Giants (Charlie Bullen)