Latest candidate for Cowboys defensive coordinator has very relevant connection that points toward the favorite for the job
The Dallas Cowboys are interviewing another candidate for DC, but he might actually point toward another favorite.
An unexpected name has emerged in the Dallas Cowboys’ search for a new defensive coordinator, and it’s one that lends itself to speculation on why someone else may be the favorite for the gig.
The new candidate in question is New York Giants interim defensive coordinator Charlie Bullen. But it’s his connection to another candidate on the Cowboys’ interview list that could point towards the team’s preferred candidate.
Bullen and Jim Leonhard coached together
As Cowboys insider Bobby Belt from 105.3 The Fan pointed out first on social media, Bullen and Denver Broncos passing game coordinator Jim Leonhard coached together at Illinois in 2023. Leonhard already interviewed for Dallas’ vacancy but remains in the NFL playoffs.
Specifically, Leonhard was a senior defensive analyst and Bullen the outside linebackers coach plus pass rush coordinator. Why does the connection matter so much? Because some believe Leonhard to be the Cowboys’ preferred choice for defensive coordinator, including Belt, who earlier in the week expressed “I think [Jim] Leonhard will be their guy.”
In other words, the Cowboys kill two birds with one stone by interviewing Bullen. They get to talk to another DC candidate but also they get to interview a potential assistant for a hypothetical Leonhard-led staff.
It almost makes too much sense given Bullen’s defensive front specialty and Leonhard’s focus on the secondary.
Ultimately, the Cowboys’ search is far from over. But if expectations for Dallas to hire Leonhard as DC materialize, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Bullen follow him closely. With that being said, what should fans know about Bullen as a DC candidate?
For more insight on him, I reached out to Joe DeLeone, who covers the Giants with us at A to Z Sports New York. His opinion fits the potential notion of him joining in a lesser role than DC.
What to know about Charlie Bullen
DeLeone: “Bullen was a highly respected member of the New York Giants’ coaching staff this past season. Before he assumed the role of interim defensive coordinator from the struggling Shane Bowen, he was regarded as an impact piece in the production of pass rushers Abdul Carter, Brian Burns, and Kayvon Thibodeaux. The Giants could have turned to other coaches to take the role, but choosing him with no prior defensive play calling experience is a testament to how he was viewed internally.
“Although the Giants didn’t exactly face a gauntlet in their remaining three games, the defense’s improvement at the very end of the year was noticeable. Against the Minnesota Vikings, Las Vegas Raiders, and Dallas Cowboys, they held each opponent to under 300 total yards of offense. They also generated at least two turnovers in those remaining three games as well.
“The sample size is small, but Bullen showed he could be a future defensive coordinator. Considering the Cowboys’ need for immediate results, it might not be the best pairing.”
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