We are now up to nine known candidates for the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive coordinator opening, following the firing of Matt Eberflus.

And the latest name to emerge may not cause fans to go crazy, but he is a dark horse candidate to keep a close eye on. It’s Green Bay Packers defensive line coach and run game coordinator Demarcus Covington. He meets the criteria of owner Jerry Jones and head coach Brian Schottenheimer.

Covington fits Cowboys’ theme

One thing that has become clear with the first nine names to emerge from the Cowboys’ search is that head coach Brian Schottenheimer is looking for a young coach to come in and fix the defense. Out of the nine candidates, not a single one is 50 years old or older. Three are in their thirties, Covington included.

For Schottenheimer, energy has been a big focus in his first year leading the Cowboys. Now that it’s clear he’s leading the search for a new DC, it seems to be a focus as well.

Though I would expect Schottenheimer to have his pick at DC, a potential advantage for Covington is that he has something Jones admittedly appreciates: A chance at redemption.

Covington was one-and-done with the New England Patriots as defensive coordinator in 2024, though that also had to do with Mike Vrabel’s arrival as head coach, who naturally brought his staff with him.

“I like to have guys that have had hard times, and then they come back and get a chance to redeem it,” Jones said last week in Dallas’ end-of-season press conference. “One of the best things about all of football is you get to redeem yourself both on and off the field.”

As for what fans should expect from Covington if he’s hired, I reached out to my friend Wendell Ferreira, who covers the Green Bay Packers with us at A to Z Sports.

Covington insight

Ferreira: “DeMarcus Covington arrived in Green Bay in a moment both needed a change of scenery. Covington had been let go after an underwhelming season as the New England Patriots defensive coordinator under Jerod Mayo, and the Packers needed answers and development from younger guys after firing defensive line coach Jason Rebrovich and losing linebackers coach/run game coordinator Anthony Campanile to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“Covington was hired as defensive line coach and run game coordinator, and his main task beyond developing talented but unrealized pieces was to turn the defensive front into a more cohesive unit. Until 2023, the Packers had separate coaches for interior players and edge defenders.

“However, he was put in a difficult situation in the interior. The Packers lost TJ Slaton in free agency and Kenny Clark—traded to the Cowboys for Micah Parsons—and didn’t replace them with veterans. Green Bay ended up 12th in pass rush win rate and 18th in rush EPA, which was still respectable given the circumstances.

“Overall, the Packers liked what they saw from Covington, though, so much that he’s a candidate to replace Jeff Hafley if the defensive coordinator gets a head coaching job elsewhere. Lukas Van Ness was affected by injuries, but had a career year in terms of efficiency when available. Defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt also had a career year after being a part-time player for his first three seasons in the NFL.

“If the Cowboys’ plan is to develop players, he could be an intriguing candidate, even if he’s unproven as a schematic mind.”

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