As entertaining as it was to watch both the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers unravel during Wild Card Weekend, the Dallas Cowboys have little time to celebrate. Their attention has firmly shifted back to unfinished business — namely, finding the next defensive coordinator who can help push this roster deeper into the NFL playoffs.

The Cowboys are in the early stages of what is shaping up to be a critical hiring process. With Dan Quinn no longer in Dallas, the franchise must identify a defensive leader capable of maintaining elite standards while evolving schematically. While the search remains fluid, early signs suggest one candidate has already emerged as the frontrunner.

Cowboys Begin Defensive Coordinator Interview Process

The Dallas Cowboys have already completed interviews with several respected defensive minds around the league. As of this writing, the team has interviewed:

• Jim Leonhard, Denver Broncos defensive passing game coordinator and assistant head coach

• Daronte Jones, Minnesota Vikings passing game coordinator

• Ephraim Banda, Cleveland Browns safeties coach

Each candidate brings a unique background, but league insiders believe one name stands above the rest.

According to Bobby Belt of 105.3 The Fan, Jim Leonhard is widely viewed inside league circles as the early favorite to land the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator job. Belt shared his insight during a conversation with co-host Shan Shariff, as later reported by Brandon Loree of Blogging The Boys.

“They wrapped those three interviews. Will probably submit more today or tomorrow. Would not be surprised if they request Jonathan Cooley from the Panthers, but I think [Jim] Leonhard will be their guy. So they have to wait for Denver to get bounced before they can hire him.”

That final detail is key. Leonhard’s current obligations with the Denver Broncos mean Dallas may need to remain patient.

Jim Leonhard Emerges as the Cowboys’ Top Target

Jim Leonhard completed his virtual interview with the Cowboys on Saturday, and all indications are that it went extremely well. However, because Leonhard is currently on Denver’s playoff staff, Dallas cannot proceed further until the Broncos’ postseason run ends.

The Broncos are scheduled to host the Buffalo Bills this Saturday, meaning the Cowboys could be waiting at least another week before bringing Leonhard in for an in-person second interview.

Still, excitement around Leonhard’s candidacy continues to grow — and for good reason.

Leonhard is widely respected for his defensive intelligence, teaching ability, and adaptability. His coaching philosophy aligns almost perfectly with what Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy outlined during his end-of-season press conference: discipline, versatility, and player development.

If that doesn’t get Cowboys fans excited, it’s fair to ask — what will?

Jonathan Cooley and Other Names to Watch

While Leonhard may be the early favorite, Dallas is expected to continue exploring additional options. One emerging name is Jonathan Cooley, who is in his second season as the Carolina Panthers’ defensive passing game coordinator.

Cooley’s résumé may not yet carry the national recognition of some veterans, but the numbers speak loudly:

• Seventh-fewest passing touchdowns allowed (20)

• Ninth-best average depth of target (7.77 yards)

• Fifth-best interception rate (2.65%)

These metrics, courtesy of Sumer Sports, suggest Carolina quietly fielded one of the more efficient pass defenses in the NFL.

While Cooley is a legitimate candidate to monitor, Belt’s reporting makes it clear that Leonhard remains the centerpiece of Dallas’ search — at least for now.

Cowboys Likely to Explore Veteran Options

In the meantime, Dallas may “kick the tires” on several high-profile veterans. Given the Jones family’s historical preference for experience, it would not be surprising to see newly fired head coaches such as Raheem Morris or Jonathan Gannon enter the discussion.

However, there is a notable difference between this search and previous coordinator hunts.

Just two years ago, after Dan Quinn initially left the Cowboys, Dallas interviewed established names like Mike Zimmer, Rex Ryan, and Ron Rivera. That list, while experienced, lacked innovation and long-term upside.

This time feels different.

Brian Schottenheimer’s Influence on the Search

One of the most important aspects of this hiring process is the belief that Brian Schottenheimer is leading the charge. That belief is based not only on Jim Leonhard’s reported popularity inside the Cowboys’ building but also on the type of candidates Dallas has targeted in the first round of interviews.

If ownership were solely steering the process, the Cowboys would likely be leaning heavily toward familiar, conservative names. Instead, Dallas appears focused on modern defensive thinkers with strong teaching credentials.

That points directly to Leonhard.

Schottenheimer and Leonhard share a previous NFL connection. The two overlapped with the New York Jets when Schottenheimer served as the team’s offensive coordinator and Leonhard played safety in Rex Ryan’s aggressive defensive system.

That shared history matters.

Why Jim Leonhard Fits the Cowboys’ Vision

Schottenheimer has recently spoken glowingly about Leonhard’s ability to communicate complex defensive concepts in a way players understand. That strength cannot be overstated, especially for a Cowboys defense loaded with young, high-ceiling talent.

Leonhard’s defensive philosophy emphasizes:

• Versatile coverage schemes

• Situational awareness

• Aggressive but disciplined play

• Maximizing player strengths rather than forcing rigid systems

Those principles align seamlessly with what Dallas has publicly stated it wants moving forward.

Final Thoughts: Cowboys Appear Focused on Leonhard

There is still a long road ahead in the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator search, and nothing is official yet. However, all signs suggest that Jim Leonhard is firmly at the top of Dallas’ wish list.

Between his growing reputation, his fit with the Cowboys’ organizational philosophy, and the clear admiration from key decision-makers like Brian Schottenheimer, Leonhard checks nearly every box.

For now, Dallas waits — watching the Denver Broncos’ playoff fate closely — while quietly preparing for what could be one of the most important coaching hires of its offseason.

If patience pays off, the Cowboys may soon land exactly the defensive leader they’re looking for.