#defensive-coordinator

#defensive-coordinator

The Dallas Cowboys have set a new direction for their defense for the fourth year in a row. They hired and recently introduced first-time defensive coordinator Christian Parker. The insights into what Parker's defense will look like that came from the press conference have put the former rival Philadelphia Eagles coach back in the headlines as the face of a defense that desperately needs this reset.

The Las Vegas Raiders are promoting run game coordinator/defensive line coach Rob Leonard to defensive coordinator, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Leonard worked closely last season with Pro Bowl defensive end Maxx Crosby, whose future in Las Vegas remains uncertain. Leonard joined the Raiders in 2023 after spending one season as the Baltimore Ravens outside linebackers coach. Prior to Baltimore, Leonard spent three years (2019-21) with the Miami Dolphins, where he held multiple positions during his tenure.

New Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur will retain defensive coordinator Nick Rallis, a source confirmed to ESPN NFL Insider Jeremy Fowler. Rallis was brought to Arizona in 2023 by former head coach Jonathan Gannon, who was fired on Jan. 5 after a 3-14 season. Rallis will enter his fourth season as the Cardinals' defensive coordinator. Arizona also plans on hiring former Giants special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial in the same role, according to reports.

Although Weaver will hold the title of defensive coordinator, new Ravens head coach Jesse Minter indicated in his introductory news conference last week that he would call the defensive plays for Baltimore. Last month, along with Minter and then-Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Weaver was among the finalists to interview for the Ravens' head coach opening. Weaver also interviewed for four other head coach vacancies this offseason: the Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers.

The 2026 head coaching carousel has now seen 10 vacancies open, as the Bills have fired Sean McDermott. HC firings generally lead to coordinator changes, and several other teams have proceeded with OC or DC moves to start their offseasons. Here are the current OC and DC searches transpiring. As the remaining HC searches conclude, more coordinator searches will be added to this list.

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.

At this point, Evero's put in enough work to be a serious candidate. He was a hot name after his one-year stint in Denver where he oversaw an excellent defense, but Sean Payton did not retain him; he then slogged through two rough years with a talent-depleted Carolina defense, holding on to his role after Frank Reich was fired and Dave Canales was hired, before coaxing significant improvement out of them in 2025.

While Miami's defense has not been great in 2025-they rank in the 20s for points and yards allowed-part of that has been the collapse of a putrid offense and August additions failing to gel that have put more pressure on the unit; Weaver had this group in the top ten for points and yardage allowed in 2024. He's considered a scheme-adaptable, player-friendly defensive coach who can also be extremely blunt about the state of his defenses when they struggle, which fans would no doubt welcome.

His ascension to defensive coordinator with the Ravens ushered in a new era of defensive dominance for Baltimore, perfectly pairing with the explosive emergence of Lamar Jackson on offense. The gruff, aggressive mastermind eventually left for the Giants, partially due to disagreements with head coach John Harbaugh. There, he crafted a defense that routinely punched above its weight in his first year on Brian Daboll's staff, during which the Giants surprised everyone with a playoff run.

The only one on this list who's officially available, Steve Wilks began the season as the Jets defensive coordinator but was fired after a Week 14 loss to the Jaguars. Wilks' defense had not been performing well this season, but it was also the first year of a rebuild and he watched his two best players - Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner - get dealt at the deadline. It's hard to know what exactly Jets leadership expected from Wilks.