The Dallas Cowboys and the Seattle Seahawks are separated by over 2,000 miles, but the gap between their respective defenses is even more pronounced. The Seahawks have emerged as the best defense in the NFL, finishing first in Expected Points Added (EPA) per play, while the Cowboys have struggled with the worst EPA per play allowed in the league since 2020.
Seattle’s rapid ascent to defensive dominance prompts the question: can the Cowboys make a similar turnaround? A pivotal decision looms as the Cowboys conduct interviews for a new defensive coordinator following the firing of Matt Eberflus, who faced criticism for leading the worst defensive performance in franchise history.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who had initially celebrated Eberflus’ hiring, now finds the team seeking a new direction. The Cowboys have already met with two candidates: Minnesota’s defensive passing game coordinator Daronte Jones, who is also gaining attention from teams like the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers, and former Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon. Gannon previously served as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator before leading the Cardinals.
The Cowboys plan to interview Philadelphia’s Christian Parker and may also pursue Denver’s Jim Leonhard once the AFC Championship Game concludes. These interviews signal a determined effort to revamp a struggling defense at a pace dictated by the organization itself, emphasizing a collaborative hiring approach as articulated by Jones.
The success of the Seahawks under head coach Mike Macdonald serves as a template for potential turnaround strategies. After taking the reins in Seattle, Macdonald maintained his role as defensive play-caller and turned around a defense that had ranked 30th in 2023 to achieve the top spot this season. Macdonald’s philosophy revolves around tailoring game plans to players’ strengths, a principle he has instilled within his coaching strategy.
Interestingly, the Seahawks’ defensive roster has seen minimal turnover from 2023 to 2025, with seven of the eleven current starters already part of the team last season. Key acquisitions, such as Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II and cornerback Josh Jobe, reflect a strategic approach to enhancing their defensive unit without breaking the bank. The addition of former Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence is seen as particularly pivotal, as he expressed a desire to win a Super Bowl that he felt was unattainable in Dallas.
For the Cowboys, the path to improvement may be more complex. While they have made strides with that foundation, including a trade for Quinnen Williams, they need to bolster several positions, and both of their first-round draft picks are likely to be devoted to the defensive side of the ball. With ample cap space available and the possibility of adding players through free agency, a more robust defensive strategy is within reach.
The lessons learned from Seattle’s recent success highlight that the right coaching and strategic decisions can lead to rapid improvements on defense, offering hope for Cowboys fans that a similar turnaround could be achieved in the near future.