Adam Schefter reveals contenders for Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator job

The Dallas Cowboys are in the market for a new defensive coordinator after their own, Dan Quinn, left to be the Commanders head coach. However, they could be competing with Quinn for that next DC.

On Thursday afternoon, just hours after breaking the original report of Quinn to Washington himself, NFL insider Adam Schefter joined SportsCenter to provide the latest on the Cowboys’ initial search for a new defensive play-caller. He first explained that, like the Seahawks’ new coach, Dan Quinn may try to pillage some Dallas defensive staffers to bring with him to D.C.

“Well, it’s interesting. Because, when we saw Mike MacDonald leave the Baltimore Ravens as their defensive coordinator to go to Seattle, he took — or at least he’s targeting — one of the coaches out there to bring with him,” explained Schefter. “The Ravens promoted from within the staff, they lost another coach to become a defensive coordinator.”

As he illustrates with the MacDonald/Ravens example, the loss of a coordinator to a head coaching gig can beget the loss of other staff members previously underneath him who could get promotions where their former coordinator goes. Per Schefter, the same could be true with the Cowboys and Commanders — notably, a pair of NFC East rivals.

“Now, the Cowboys are in a situation where Joe Whitt Jr. (Dallas’ secondary coach and pass game coordinator) is in demand and he could wind up as the defensive coordinator in Washington, or he could wind up as the defensive coordinator in Dallas.”

So, that’s one name to watch at DC for both franchises, and here’s one more, according to Adam Schefter:

“You look at some of the other names out there, Aden Durde, the defensive line coach. He’s in line to potentially get a promotion or be a coordinator candidate either in Dallas or Washington.”

Schefter threw out one more name for the Cowboys defensive coordinator role, who does have Washington ties, but certainly won’t be a candidate for Quinn’s staff, you would assume.

“Ron Rivera’s name is out there, of course. We’ll see where he figures in, if he figures in anywhere,” the NFL insider added. Even if Rivera is an option for Dallas, though, Schefter expects those two Cowboys assistants to be in prime position for a promotion, whether that’s in Dallas or with Dan Quinn in Washington.

“You’re looking at two guys on the Dallas staff that figure to benefit from Dan Quinn moving on one way or another. Usually, everybody rises up some.”