The Cowboys are still in search mode for their next defensive coordinator, and until that hire is made, the rest of the NFC East is worth watching closely. Because let’s be honest - what happens in Philly, Washington, and New York this offseason could shape the path Dallas has to take in 2026.
Let’s start with the division rivals. The Giants just made a splash by hiring John Harbaugh as their new head coach - a move that could bring some long-lost stability back to a franchise that’s been spinning its wheels for years. Washington and Philadelphia, meanwhile, are both in the coordinator market: the Commanders need a new defensive leader, while the Eagles are hunting for an offensive mind to revamp a unit that fell flat last season.
That Eagles search just hit a snag.
Philadelphia had reportedly zeroed in on Mike McDaniel as their top offensive coordinator target. But late Tuesday, word broke that McDaniel is heading west - expected to take the OC job with the Los Angeles Chargers. According to ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, the Eagles were aggressive in their pursuit, but in the end, the opportunity to work with Justin Herbert and return to California tipped the scales.
And that’s music to the Cowboys’ ears.
McDaniel is widely respected for his creative, timing-based offense - the kind of scheme that can elevate a quarterback and stress a defense in all the right ways. So the fact that he won’t be dialing up plays for Jalen Hurts next season is a win for Dallas, plain and simple.
Let’s unpack why.
Herbert may not have a playoff win under his belt yet, but from a pure tools standpoint, he’s a dream for any offensive coordinator. At 6’6”, 235 pounds with elite arm talent and real mobility, he gives play-callers the full field to work with.
Hurts, on the other hand, has had a tougher time in that department. He’s a dynamic athlete, no doubt, but his struggles with processing, timing, and working the middle of the field have made it difficult for Philly to fully unlock their offense - especially against top-tier defenses.
McDaniel’s system thrives on rhythm, anticipation, and precision. That’s not exactly Hurts’ wheelhouse, particularly when the pocket starts to break down.
Add in the occasional off-field drama with star receiver A.J. Brown and a locker room that’s felt a little too volatile after tough losses, and it’s easy to see why McDaniel might’ve had second thoughts about stepping into that environment.
Now contrast that with what he’s walking into in L.A.
In Herbert, McDaniel gets one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks in the game - someone who can make every throw with ease and process quickly when given the right structure. He’ll also have two high-level bookends on the offensive line in Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, both expected back from injury. And don’t overlook rookie running back Omarion Hampton, who looks like a natural fit for McDaniel’s outside zone-heavy scheme.
Beyond the roster, the Chargers offer something else: a lower-pressure environment. The expectations aren’t sky-high, and the fan base isn’t breathing down your neck after every loss. For a coach who spent five years in San Francisco and knows the West Coast well, this move makes a lot of sense - both professionally and personally.
So yes, while the Cowboys still have work to do in their own building, the fact that one of the league’s most innovative offensive minds won’t be joining a division rival? That’s a win worth noting.
In the NFC East, every edge matters. And this week, Dallas quietly picked one up.