Dallas Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said the team isn’t in any rush to appoint a new defensive coordinator.
The braintrust is still entrenched in the interview process, and they have requested second in-person interviews with multiple candidates, including Vikings defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator Daronte Jones and ex-Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon. There are also rumblings that Eagles secondary coach Christian Parker will get a second interview.
It’s a good thing the Cowboys are enamored by those names because they can officially cross Jeff Ulbrich off their list.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported on Monday that Ulbrich agreed to terms on a three-year contract to remain with Atlanta. The Falcons, who hired Kevin Stefanski as their new head coach, then officially announced that Ulbrich will stay on as defensive coordinator.
There is nothing the Cowboys could have done here. They asked to speak with Ulbrich immediately after the Falcons fired HC Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot. However, owner Arthur Blank denied that request, stating in a news conference that he would recommend, but not require, that Atlanta’s new head coach retain Ulbrich.
Much to Dallas’ chagrin, Blank got his wish.
The Cowboys would have given Ulbrich a serious look if their request hadn’t been denied. It’s no surprise that the Falcons didn’t leave him out of the building, as their defense improved significantly under his coaching.
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Last season, Atlanta allowed the 10th-most yards of any team, the second-most passing touchdowns, and had the fifth-worst percentage of drives ending in an offensive score, per Pro Football Reference.
In 2025, Ulbrich’s group ranked 15th in EPA per play, seventh in interception rate, and fourth in sack percentage, per Sumner Sports, while finishing second with 57 total sacks, which set a new franchise record. They finished 32nd with a 4.73 percent sack rate last season.
All of the reporting out of Dallas suggests that Ulbrich was high on their list — even higher than Broncos assistant head coach and pass game coordinator Jim Leonhard.
The silver lining for the Cowboys is that several intriguing candidates are in the mix, and, with so many coaching openings needing to be filled, not a single DC has been hired outside of the Falcons retaining Ulbrich.
