Underrated Defensive Coordinator Candidates for the Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys shocked many with their swift decision to fire defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. The decision to fire him was not surprising; rather, it was the speed at which they reached that conclusion. The front office made their decision just two days after the final game of the season, which was a disappointing loss to the Giants, surprising many, as the Cowboys typically take more time with these matters. The decision to let him go was significantly influenced by head coach Brian Schottenheimer, who faced various challenges due to the defensive struggles that led to annoyance from him and, quite frankly, everyone in the front office. Schottenheimer, as a first-year head coach, was dealing with more on his plate than expected, as he would spend extra time in defensive meetings, which became a frustration to him and Jerry Jones. Now, with the Cowboys searching for a new defensive coordinator, names like Brian Flores will garner a lot of attention. However, there are a few candidates who can potentially get a surprising nod for a chance at the position.
Jeff Ulbrich
The former New York Jets defensive coordinator and part-time intern head coach departed from New York two seasons ago to join the Atlanta Falcons this season, and he has made a solid unit. The Falcons were second in the NFL in sacks with 57, seventh in average takeaways per game, and had an above-average defense in terms of passing yards per game, ranking 13th. The main reason why he is so intriguing is that he is a clear players-first coach, which was made evident when the New York Jets were on Hard Knocks in 2023. In this new culture that Schottenheimer is trying to create in Dallas, being able to build a relationship with players is key, which is an area in which Eberflus failed to succeed.
Jim Schwartz
The well-respected defensive mastermind Jim Schwartz could appear to be nearing the end of his tenure in Cleveland, and he meets many of the criteria the Jones family seeks when looking for a defensive coordinator. Being a former head coach and recently a coordinator, he has had well-respected defenses almost everywhere he went, being able to reach two Super Bowls, winning one as a defensive coordinator with the Eagles in 2018. During his time in Cleveland, the Browns generally boasted strong defenses, primarily anchored by Myles Garrett. This season, the Browns were solid all across the board, being the third-best passing defense and third in total sacks with 53. The lack of offensive support is a significant issue, and the ability to consistently keep his defenses in the upper half of the league speaks volumes about his skills as a defensive coordinator.
