Podcast Summary: Locked On Cowboys – MUST-HIRE: Brian Flores is the Top TARGET for Cowboys — Top DC Candidates For Dallas

Podcast: Locked On Cowboys – Daily Podcast On The Dallas Cowboys
Hosts: Marcus Mosher, Landon McCool
Date: December 29, 2025
Episode Focus: Exploring the top defensive coordinator (DC) candidates for the Dallas Cowboys, with an emphasis on Brian Flores, in anticipation of the team's likely move away from current DC Matt Eberflus.

Episode Overview

The hosts dive into the future of the Cowboys' defensive coordinator position, strongly speculating that Matt Eberflus will not return for the 2026 season. They examine why Brian Flores is widely viewed as the top candidate for the role, break down his coaching style, and explore other potential options if Flores is unavailable. The episode also touches on the typical profile favored by the Jones family for major coaching hires and contextualizes the strengths and weaknesses of various candidates.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

The Imminent Departure of Matt Eberflus (01:40–03:05)

• Hosts’ Consensus: It's highly unlikely Eberflus will return, citing Jerry Jones' lack of endorsement and general organizational signals.
• Quote:
  • "It sure seems like it would be quite a surprise if Eberflus is back in 2026." — Marcus Mosher (01:18)
  • "Just by taking the temperature of the room... the writing's been on the wall for a little while." — Landon McCool (02:15)

Why Brian Flores is the Top Target (03:05–10:31)

• Strong Rumors: Cowboys are reportedly very interested in Brian Flores, the current Minnesota Vikings DC, whose contract is expiring.

  • "There's a lot of smoke about Brian Flores... being the next defensive coordinator for the Cowboys." — Marcus Mosher (03:05)

• Impressive Coach Profile:

  • Flores is described as a "schemer in his prime" and compared to Wade Phillips for his creativity and impact.
  • "Flores is sort of unique... kind of like the modern version of the Belichick defense." — Landon McCool (04:07)
  • Noted for blending blitz-heavy schemes and “match quarters” coverages; highly respected and compared to offensive innovator Kyle Shanahan.

• Aggressiveness and Adaptability:

  • Flores’ defenses are known for relentless blitzing and smart, tailored game-planning.
  • "They're going to do a lot of blitzing... It's blitzing to get your very specific reaction so that you dump down to the flats and then they've got a plan to tackle you for a loss." — Landon McCool (04:16)
  • His style is likened to Rex Ryan at his peak.

• Scheme Doesn’t Rely on Stars:

  • Flores elevates units without premier talent, which is appealing given Dallas’ current personnel.
  • "It's not like his defense relies on elite talent to be an elite unit." — Marcus Mosher (08:55)

• Why Flores Might Be Available:

  • Debate over whether rumors are genuine or agent-driven, but both agree that Cowboys’ interest seems authentic (07:07).
  • If it simply becomes a financial or organizational competition, Dallas should leverage its resources.
  • "The Cowboys need to use their money advantage here to their advantage." — Landon McCool (08:55)

• Marcus’s Enthusiasm:
  "If you hire Brian Flores, this is probably the most excited I would be about this Cowboys team in a long time." (10:31)

Other Top Defensive Coordinator Candidates (13:02–20:47)

Cowboys' Typical Approach (13:02–14:03)

• The front office prefers experienced former NFL head coaches as coordinators, providing interim HC flexibility and proven leadership.

Jonathan Gannon (Arizona Cardinals) (14:03–17:57)

• Profile: Defensive-minded current Cardinals HC, previously led the Eagles’ defense.
• Scheme: Utilizes Cover-4 ("covid 4"), match coverages—solid at stopping the run and deep pass.
  • "I’m pretty sure... he is the number one user of Cover 4 coverage in the NFL." — Landon McCool (16:05)
• Fit: Seen as a plausible overlay for Dallas’ secondary personnel.
• Concerns: Recent Cardinals defenses have ranked poorly (#31 points allowed in 2023, #29 in 2025).
  • "You look at their defenses under Gannon...they have not been great over the last couple years." — Marcus Mosher (17:22)
• Possible Upside: Better talent and greater resources in Dallas could help unlock his potential.

Jim Schwartz (Cleveland Browns) (19:07–20:47)

• Profile: Browns’ current DC with a history as HC.
• Scheme: Famous for the “wide nine”; strong pass defense but can expose the team versus the run if not properly staffed.
  • Needs strong linebackers and defensive tackles.
• Personnel Fit: Dallas’ current defensive tackles could offset some of the wide nine's run defense risks.

Other Notable Candidates & Quick-Hit Opinions (22:36–28:48)

Al Harris (Chicago Bears Secondary Coach) (23:03–24:10)

• Unlikely due to lack of DC/play-calling experience and preference for candidates with “skins on the wall.”

College Coaches or Assistants (24:18–24:58)

• Possibilities like Brett Venables are seen as unlikely—college job security and control too attractive.

Jim Leonhard (Denver Broncos Assistant HC) (24:58–25:45)

• Could be a strong up-and-comer; not currently a DC but could be enticed for play-calling duties.
• "If you can get Jim Leonhard early in the process, maybe you lock him up before Vance Joseph even decides if he's leaving." — Marcus Mosher (25:45)

Steve Spagnuolo (Kansas City Chiefs DC) (26:15–27:32)

• If Andy Reid retires, Spagnuolo could be available—another veteran with head coaching and Super Bowl experience.
  • Seen as a stabilizing, long-term solution if not seeking HC roles anymore.

Joe Whitt Jr. (Washington Commanders, Former Cowboys Assistant) (27:32–28:17)

• Once considered a leading internal candidate but recent performance in Washington raises skepticism.
  • "I felt like even the defenses in Dallas at the end of the end with Dan Quinn started to go a little bit stale." — Landon McCool (27:52)

Others

• Patrick Graham (Raiders DC) and other possible soon-to-be free-agents are mentioned as fallback options.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "I don't want to say like the Kyle Shanahan of the defense, but like he is, you know, as far as Xs and Os go... certainly a top three to five defensive play caller in the league." — Landon McCool on Brian Flores (04:36)
• "If you hire Brian Flores, this is probably the most excited I would be about this Cowboys team in a long time." — Marcus Mosher (10:31)
• "The Cowboys need to use their money advantage here to their advantage." — Landon McCool (08:55)
• "They're going to do a lot of blitzing... It's blitzing to get your very specific reaction..." — Landon McCool (04:16)

Timeline of Key Segments

• 01:40–03:05: Why Eberflus is likely out; setting up the search for a new DC.
• 03:05–10:31: Brian Flores deep-dive: strengths, likelihood, parallels, and the Cowboys’ interest.
• 13:02–20:47: Broader candidate pool, focusing on Gannon and Schwartz: schemes, stats, fit.
• 22:36–28:48: Rapid-fire on external candidates: Al Harris, college possibilities, Jim Leonhard, Spagnuolo, Joe Whitt Jr., Patrick Graham.
• Throughout: Balanced tone mixing cautious optimism with pragmatic analysis; heavy emphasis on the importance of hiring the right DC.

Conclusion

If Brian Flores is available, the consensus is that he is the must-hire DC candidate for the Dallas Cowboys—bringing schematic creativity, a proven track record with varying talent levels, and a style that could fundamentally improve the Dallas defense. Should Flores not be available, established names like Jonathan Gannon, Jim Schwartz, or even Steve Spagnuolo could be solid fits, with several wildcards in the mix. The Cowboys are positioned to make a significant, possibly transformational, coaching addition—provided they act decisively and leverage their organizational strengths.

For More

Follow Landon on Twitter: @McCoolBCB
Follow Marcus on Twitter: @Marcus_Mosher
Listen to new episodes daily via the Locked On Cowboys podcast feed.