The Dallas Cowboys fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus after one of the worst defensive years for the franchise in recent memory, according to Tom Pelissero from NFL Network.

The Cowboys had made it very clear that Eberflus was under evaluation entering the final stretch of three games of the season, and the results were not much better despite a relatively easy schedule to end the season. In each of the Cowboys’ last three games, the defense gave up 30+ points.

Now, the Cowboys are forced to look for their fourth defensive coordinator in four years. Who could it be? Let’s look at 10 immediate candidates.

Big-name defensive coordinators

Jim Schwartz, Browns

Schwartz has run a great defense for the Browns. Since 2023, it’s been the top unit in the NFL per EPA/play allowed. He’s built a unit that has no weaknesses, producing outstanding results against both the run and the pass.

The only reason Schwartz is expected to be available is that Kevin Stefanski was fired as the Cleveland Browns’ head coach. That likely means whoever takes the top job will build his own staff.

Plus, Schwartz has the kind of resume the Cowboys’ front office likes in its DC hires: a very experienced one. In his 17 years as DC, Schwartz helped the Philadelphia Eagles win the Super Bowl in the 2017 season.

Brian Flores, Vikings

I find Flores to be a very unlikely candidate, but with his contract expiring, he sounds willing to explore all options.

Flores is known for having a very aggressive approach to defensive football. He likes to blitz and disguise coverages to keep quarterbacks on their toes. Bringing him would mean a total overhaul of the Cowboys’ defense, likely requiring more experienced veterans to come in and fit with his vision.

Leslie Frazier

Frazier could be a wild card in this conversation, given the Cowboys’ preferences. The last three defensive coordinators hired by Dallas have head-coaching experience. And we know the Cowboys were interested enough in Frazier that they interviewed him for their head coaching opening last January.

In 13 years as defensive coordinator, Frazier has led a top-10 defense in yards allowed nine times.

Recently fired head coaches

Jonathan Gannon, Cardinals

Gannon is officially out as Arizona Cardinals. Before becoming the head coach of the Cardinals, his defense helped the Eagles become Super Bowl contenders. Gannon’s defensive style is fun, relying on hybrid formations and plenty of disguising. His focus on match-quarters could help modernize the Cowboys’ defense.

Gannon’s results as a head coach were very underwhelming in Arizona. But if he’s focused on defense, he could make things work again.

Raheem Morris, Falcons

The Falcons announced they’re moving on from Morris, and he’s worth a look for defensive coordinator. A Super Bowl-winning DC with the Los Angeles Rams, Morris is known for his player development and diverse scheme.

In Year 2 with the Falcons, Morris’ pass-rush vastly improved after an awful 2024 in that department. Again, he’s another candidate with head coaching experience, which fits the Cowboys’ preferences.

Assistant coaches

Jim Leonhard, Broncos passing game coordinator

In a short amount of time, Leonhard rose from position coach to assistant head coach and pass game coordinator for one of the best defenses in the NFL. The No. 1 reason the Broncos are Super Bowl contenders is their defense, and Leonhard has had immediate access to one of the best defensive minds in football, Vance Joseph. Tapping into that coaching tree is a good idea.

Mike Pettine, Vikings OLB coach, and Daronte Jones, Vikings pass game coordinator

If the Cowboys can’t get Flores, maybe they can attack his coaching tree. Pettine is an obvious candidate considering his familiarity with Brian Schottenheimer, but speaking with people who cover the Vikings closely, Jones might be the best candidate to target.

He is the passing game coordinator on one of the most unique defenses in the NFL. The Vikings rely on blitzing a lot, but do so with zone coverages behind their pressures at a very high rate. In that way, they’re, ironically, conservatively aggressive.

Christian Parker, Eagles passing game coordinator

What about going to the Cowboys’ top rival to tap into Vic Fangio’s coaching tree? Parker is a coach on the rise and someone who could also help Dallas transition into a more modern defense relying on match-quarters principles.

Fangio’s defenses have been successful for so long thanks to their adaptability, which requires plenty of on-field communication.

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