The Dallas Cowboys are playing the long game in their search for a new defensive coordinator-and with the way this offseason is shaping up, patience might just be their best play.
There’s growing belief around the league that the Cowboys have their eyes on Jeff Ulbrich, the current Falcons defensive coordinator. But there’s a catch: Ulbrich’s future in Atlanta hinges on who the Falcons hire as their next head coach. If the incoming hire wants to keep Ulbrich, Dallas may never get a chance to make their pitch.
That’s the limbo Dallas is stuck in right now. They’re not just waiting to finish interviews-they’re waiting to see if one of their top targets even becomes available.
Ulbrich has quietly built a reputation as a sharp defensive mind, and there’s a sense that if he’s free, Dallas would move quickly. Some insiders even suggest Ulbrich could leapfrog other popular candidates like Jim Leonhard, who remains a fan favorite after his strong defensive work in both college and the NFL.
But this isn’t about popularity. It’s about fit.
And Ulbrich’s experience coordinating a fast, aggressive defense could be exactly what Dallas needs after a season where the unit looked out of sync far too often.
There’s also the Jim Schwartz wrinkle to consider. When Kevin Stefanski interviewed for the Falcons’ head coaching job, speculation swirled that he might bring Schwartz with him from Cleveland.
But now Schwartz is getting a second interview for the Browns’ head coaching gig, making it less likely he’s leaving Ohio anytime soon. That could open the door for Ulbrich to stay in Atlanta-or leave, depending on how the chips fall.
Still, Dallas may not need to wait for all the postseason dust to settle. If Ulbrich becomes available soon, the Cowboys could pounce. If not, they have other intriguing options, and one of them is quietly gaining steam.
Enter Daronte Jones.
Jones has a growing reputation as a rising star in the coaching ranks, and his connection to Brian Flores is more than just a footnote. Jones worked under Flores, a coach known for his aggressive, detail-heavy defensive schemes.
That influence is easy to spot in Minnesota’s defense this past season-disguised coverages, timely blitzes, and a fearless approach to pressure. It’s the kind of structure Dallas lacked for much of the year.
If you can’t land Flores, why not bring in someone who’s been molded by him?
Jones offers that Flores DNA, and when you stack his recent NFL work against high-powered passing offenses next to Leonhard’s résumé, Jones’ results carry a bit more weight. That’s not a knock on Leonhard-he’s smart, disciplined, and well-respected. But Jones might be the better schematic fit for the current Cowboys roster, especially if Dallas wants to lean into a more disruptive, unpredictable style of defense.
Both Jones and Leonhard have college DC experience, but Jones has logged more time calling plays and adapting to the speed and complexity of the NFL game. In a league where defensive coordinators are being asked to solve the riddle of modern offenses on a weekly basis, that experience matters.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys are also exploring another bold path: the trade market.
One name being floated? George Pickens.
While nothing is imminent, there’s chatter that Dallas could explore moving the talented young wideout in exchange for valuable draft capital. To get a sense of what Pickens might fetch, it’s helpful to look at a couple of recent comps.
In 2025, the Seahawks traded DK Metcalf to the Steelers. At the time, Metcalf was 27, a two-time Pro Bowler with three 1,000-yard seasons.
Seattle sent Metcalf and a sixth-rounder to Pittsburgh and got back a second- and seventh-round pick. Based on trade value charts, that deal was worth about 365 points-roughly equivalent to the 53rd overall pick.
Go back to 2023, and you’ve got the Panthers shipping DJ Moore to the Bears as part of the blockbuster deal that sent the No. 1 overall pick to Chicago. Moore, entering his age-26 season with three 1,100-yard campaigns under his belt, was part of a package that included multiple first- and second-rounders. Even adjusting for the “QB tax” in that deal, Moore’s value was estimated around 600 points.
So where would Pickens land in that mix? That’s the question Dallas has to weigh. If the right offer comes along-one that gives them flexibility in the draft without creating a major hole in the offense-it could be worth considering.
And finally, here’s something that shouldn’t be overlooked:
Many of the defensive coordinator candidates Dallas is interviewing this offseason gave Dak Prescott trouble this past year.
Of the nine known candidates, six faced the Cowboys in 2025. And in four of those games, Prescott didn’t throw a single touchdown. That list includes Week 1 vs. the Eagles (Christian Parker) and Week 8 vs. the Broncos (Jim Leonhard).
Now, it’s not fair to pin all of that on the opposing coordinators-plenty of factors go into a rough offensive outing. But it’s telling that the Cowboys are looking closely at coaches who’ve already proven they can challenge Prescott and this offense.
In a way, it’s a classic case of “if you can’t beat ‘em, hire ‘em.”
The Cowboys are clearly being methodical in their approach. Whether it’s Ulbrich, Jones, Leonhard, or another rising star, the next defensive coordinator will be tasked with turning a talented but inconsistent unit into a force. And with the NFC wide open, Dallas knows the right hire could be the difference between another early playoff exit and a legitimate Super Bowl push.