History May Narrow Cowboys’ Defensive Coordinator Choices

The Dallas Cowboys are once again in search of a defensive coordinator. This marks the fourth consecutive year the team is making this move. Head coach Mike McCarthy has officially parted ways with Matt Eberflus, who led the defense for just one season. Under Eberflus, the Cowboys set a franchise record by allowing 511 total points during the season.

Emerging Candidates for the Defensive Coordinator Position

As the NFL coaching landscape shifts, several candidates have emerged who fit the Cowboys’ historical preferences for defensive coordinators—former NFL head coaches. Among the leading options are Raheem Morris and Jonathan Gannon.

Raheem Morris

• Previous Roles: Morris served as head coach for the Atlanta Falcons.
• Results: In his two seasons with Atlanta, he posted an 8-9 record in each season.
• Defensive Improvement: Under his leadership, the Falcons’ defense progressed from 23rd in yards allowed to 15th by 2025.
• Super Bowl Experience: Morris has two Super Bowl titles, one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and another with the Los Angeles Rams.
• Connection to Cowboys: He shares a connection with Cowboys staff through current Commanders head coach Dan Quinn, having worked together in Atlanta.

Jonathan Gannon

• Tenure: Recently let go as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals after a 15-36 overall record.
• Previous Success: Served as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator, leading them to a top 10 finish in both seasons he spent in that role.
• Notable Achievements: Helped the Eagles reach Super Bowl LVII in 2022.
• Defensive Performance Against Cowboys: Gannon’s defense held the Cowboys’ offense to just 17 points in their Week 9 matchup.
• Connections: Has ties to Cowboys offensive coordinator Klayton Adams and has worked under former Cowboys coordinators Mike Zimmer and Matt Eberflus.

Other Considerations

The Cowboys have numerous options available as they seek to fill this critical role. While Morris and Gannon are immediate candidates, others under contract may also be considered, depending on their own team’s situations.

With the Cowboys expected to begin interviews on Wednesday, the hope is that the new defensive coordinator will provide the necessary stability in a position that has seen frequent turnover. Finding the right fit is crucial for the team’s future success on defense.