The Jets' defensive coordinator search has flown under the radar during a frenzied HC carousel, but it has taken shape Friday. The team announced eight candidates for the job. In addition to interim DC Chris Harris, seven others received interviews. Don Martindale (Michigan), Jim Leonhard (Broncos), Ephraim Banda (Browns), Jim O'Neil (Lions), DeMarcus Covington (Packers), Daronte Jones (Vikings) and Mathieu Araujo (Dolphins) interviewed for the position.
The NFL coaching carousel is in full swing, and for the Dallas Cowboys that means an ongoing search for their newest defensive coordinator. Other teams within the NFC East are actively looking for new coordinators as well, but only the New York Giants were in on the head coaching hiring cycle, landing what many considered the biggest fish on the market in John Harbaugh.
The AFC North is notorious for its high level of competition. Until this year, which saw both the Browns and Bengals fall victim to losing seasons, the division had a three-year streak with three out of four teams having a winning record. Joe Burrow's arrival in Cincinnati, Lamar Jackson's dominance in Baltimore, and Mike Tomlin's consistency in Pittsburgh have given the AFC North one heck of a run in the 2020s.
Jacas is not perfect, but I can already see how he would be used on Sundays. He isn't showing up on a lot of highlight reels, he's not a guy people argue about on draft night. But, when you actually watch him play, you start to understand why he keeps winning snaps. Jacas plays strong, stays disciplined, and finishes more reps than he loses.
In July last year, Sportsbetting.ag published the odds on which NFL head coach would be fired first in 2025. That dubious distinction ended up going to Brian Callahan in Tennessee who took the honors in 2025. At the time the odds were published, Brian Daboll of the Giants was listed as the most likely head coach to be fired first, but ended up being second. His firing may end up biting the Giants twice every year as he's interviewing for the Eagles OC position.
Let's be honest, Watt isn't just another good pass rusher. He's a Defensive Player of the Year, sack leader, and turnover creator. Watt is the type of defender offenses have to scheme around every single game, and yes, he is the same player the Cowboys passed on for Taco Charlton. We know how that turned out and the miss still stings.
I just met with Flus early this morning. Incredible human being. I love the man, but at the end of the day, the football wasn't right. I've been in this position, I've been Flus. I've been the guys in this room. I understand the questions. I understand the concerns, and I will answer all of those. Right now the focus has to be, number-one, the man.
When you review the 2025 Cowboys defense, a lot of their problems stemmed from their play at linebacker. Kenneth Murray was predominantly the primary linebacker on the field on all three downs. What we saw from Murray was him out of position, out of his proper gap, and more times than you'd like to see, unable to make tackles. To say he was one of the worst linebackers in the NFL last season isn't entirely hyperbole.
When I watch Caleb Downs, I'm not trying to project traits or guess at upside. I am evaluating what's already there, and what is there looks like an NFL safety who just happens to still be playing college football. Downs isn't flashy for the sake of it. I see efficiency, decisiveness, and a player who is always around the football. That is the kinda guy who lasts in the NFL, and players who defensive coordinators trust.
The Browns made an out-of-left-field hire in 2023 when they brought Banda over from Utah State to coach safeties. Before joining Cleveland, Banda had no NFL experience, so there were questions about whether he would be a good fit. Banda has quickly become one of the better position coaches the Browns have. Grant Delpit has leveled up his game into an all-around safety under Banda's leadership - and really one of the more underrated safeties in the game.
If it seems like nearly every decision made by the Dallas Cowboys' front office this century has been wrong, that would be because that is precisely the case. From draft picks to free agency moves and trades to coaching changes. When viewed in retrospect, they all have one thing in common. Most of the time, the Cowboys made the wrong choice.
These NFC East gigs are rather interesting, seeing as Gannon trekked to Arizona after two seasons as the Eagles' DC. The Cardinals position did not work out, and Gannon will consider heading back to the DC level. Having a head coaching interview set for days after the two DC meetings could throw a wrench into his schedule, and a determination on how likely a Titans opportunity would be may need to be made with regards to potentially accepting a DC offer earlier.
