Can Cowboys wait on a Jim Leonhard interview? Here’s a timeline on the DC search
The Dallas Cowboys’ search for a new defensive coordinator enters its third week on Tuesday after the Jan. 6 firing of Matt Eberflus kicked off the hunt for his replacement.
Nine virtual interviews were held in the first round of the search in the first seven days, and the Cowboys identified three candidates to bring in for a second round of interviews in person at The Star in Frisco: Minnesota Vikings pass game coordinator Daronte Jones (interviewed Saturday), former Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon (interviewed Tuesday) and Philadelphia Eagles pass game coordinator Christian Parker (will interview Wednesday and possibly into Thursday).
While those three candidates are at the front of mind for the Cowboys, Denver Broncos pass game coordinator Jim Leonhard remains on the table of in-person interview candidates, according to a team source. Leonhard virtually interviewed with Dallas on Jan. 10, but he will not be able to circle back with the team until after Denver plays in the AFC championship game on Sunday.
The Cowboys aren’t the only team waiting, though. The New York Giants have been rumored to have interest in the former University of Wisconsin defensive coordinator, and the Green Bay Packers could be chomping at the bit for the opportunity to return Leonhard to his home state of Wisconsin. The New York Jets could also have interest after he played for the franchise for three seasons from 2009 to 2011.
Other teams with confirmed or expected defensive coordinator vacancies include the San Francisco 49ers, Washington Commanders, Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens.
Simply put, Leonhard will be a hot commodity when he’s available to start interviewing again. Should the Cowboys wait for the opportunity to speak with him again and then make their decision? Or, if there is a worthy bird in hand after the trio of interviews this week, would it make more sense to solidify the hire?
If they choose the first option, they run the risk of seeing their ideal candidate among Jones, Gannon and Parker get hired elsewhere. Jones has already interviewed with the Jets and is scheduled to interview with the Giants and Packers. Gannon has interviewed with the Commanders, and Parker will depart his interview in Dallas to speak with Green Bay shortly after.
With more jobs coming open by the day (what a shocker in Buffalo on Monday), the worthy candidates could begin to thin out as soon as later this week.
Will the Cowboys wait on one of the more intriguing candidates in Leonhard? Or can one of the interviews this week solidify enough confidence to make the hire? And then once that decision is made, a race begins to hire assistants to support the fourth defensive coordinator in Dallas in as many years.
Have you ever seen the movie, “1408?” Well, we’ve only just begun. And that alarm clock is beginning to tick.
This story was originally published January 20, 2026 at 4:20 PM.
