The Dallas Cowboys quickly moved on from defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus and will be focusing on finding his replacement for 2026 and hopefully beyond. That means the next season will mark the fourth in a row where the Cowboys will have a different man leading the defensive unit. While that isn't ideal, there are plenty of good candidates out there.
Dallas held its end-of-the-season presser on Wednesday, where owner/general manager Jerry Jones discussed the opening. He expressed that the new DC doesn't need head coach experience, and that the Cowboys could look at a first-time coordinator as well, as ESPN's Todd Archer reported.
And Jones' statements only add more smoke to the idea that Jim Leonhard could be an option to get the job.
Jim Leonhard Could Be the Next Cowboys DC After Jerry Jones’ Comments
Leonhard has been a hot name this coaching cycle and could be poised to land a DC gig. He's been with the Denver Broncos for the last two seasons, holding defensive backs coach & pass game coordinator roles. He was promoted to assistant head coach & defensive pass game coordinator in 2025 and has been a driving force in the Broncos' success in the secondary.
Before coming to the NFL, he was the defensive coordinator & defensive backs coach for the University of Wisconsin.
In 2025, Denver ranked second in the NFL in total defense (278.2) and run defense (91.1) while being seventh in pass defense (187.2). The Broncos were also third in scoring defense (18.3) and first in the league in team sacks (68).
Obviously, Leonhard doesn't have his hand in every part of the Broncos' defense, but that unit has been top-notch for two straight seasons. It helps his case that the Broncos went 14-3 and earned the top seed in the AFC. Everyone who watches Denver knows their defense is the driving force for this team, and Leonhard is someone who has a serious input on that side of the ball.
The idea of bringing him over and allowing the 43-year-old to bring that mindset along with some other coaches with him to Dallas would be enticing. Especially after the year that the Cowboys had under Eberflus. They ranked 30th in total defense (377.0 yards per game) while being 32nd in pass defense (251.5 passing yards per game) and scoring defense (30.1 PPG).
Leonhard got a promotion after just one year and seems ready for that next jump, which is running the entire defense. And with Jones saying that no prior experience is needed, Leonhard should be atop the list.
Hiring a successful, young, and upcoming coach from a top-tier program is the right call. The Cowboys have gone the route of a former head coach in Eberflus and Mike Zimmer as their defensive coordinators, and that didn't work.
Going down a different route should be the call and there might not be a better option than Leonhard.