Noteworthy Nfl Playoff Rule Could Impact Cowboys' Defensive Coordinator Search

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The Dallas Cowboys are exploring their options arsenic nan franchise tries to find nan correct sound to capable a important position.

Following nan regular-season, nan Cowboys elected to fire protect coordinator Matt Eberflus aft sitting astatine nan bottommost of nan NFL in astir metrics.

Moving forward, Dallas hasn't wasted overmuch clip embarking connected a hunt for Eberflus's replacement.

MORE: Cowboys won't person to look acold for perfect 'Plan B' astatine protect coordinator

Through nan mediate portion of January, nan franchise has virtually interviewed astatine slightest 9 candidates, including well-known names specified arsenic Baltimore Ravens protect coordinator Zach Orr, Denver Broncos assistant caput coach/defensive walk crippled coordinator Jim Leonhard, and erstwhile Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon.

Wisconsin caput coach Jim Leonhard is shown during nan first 4th of their crippled astatine Camp Randall Stadium | Mark Hoffman / USA TODAY NETWORK

Of nan nine, Leonhard is nan lone coach still participating successful nan NFL Playoffs, arsenic nan Broncos will look nan Buffalo Bills successful nan Divisional Round connected Saturday, January 17.

Though in-person interviews tin technically statesman connected Monday, an NFL norm will forestall nan Cowboys from officially gathering pinch Leonhard until nan Broncos are eliminated.

MORE: Cowboys protect coordinator hunt adds in-person question and reply pinch section rival

NFL Playoff Rule Holding Up Cowboys' DC Search

Nov 5, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers caput coach Jim Leonhard looks connected during nan first 4th against nan Maryland Terrapins astatine Camp Randall Stadium. | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Dallas has already lined up in-person interviews pinch erstwhile Arizona Cardinals caput coach Jonathan Gannon, Philadelphia Eagles protect backs coach/pass crippled coordinator Christian Parker, and Minnesota Vikings protect walk crippled coordinator Daronte Jones.

However, that may not beryllium nan lawsuit pinch Leonhard, arsenic his question and reply day will beryllium wished based connected erstwhile Denver is knocked retired of nan playoffs. If nan Broncos suffer to Buffalo, nan Cowboys could schedule an in-person question and reply arsenic soon arsenic January 19.

MORE: Dallas Cowboys' Jim Leonhard dream could beryllium spoiled by section rival

The almanac would beryllium further pushed backmost if Denver advances to nan AFC Conference Championship game. In that event, Dallas wouldn't beryllium capable to person Leonhard successful municipality until January 26.

That's not wherever nan stipulations needfully end. If nan Broncos beforehand to nan Super Bowl, Leonhard tin question and reply pinch nan Cowboys betwixt January 26 and February 1. After that, he's prevented from communicating pinch teams until nan time aft nan crippled connected February 9.

Wisconsin Badgers interim caput coach Jim Leonhard looks connected from nan sideline against nan Iowa Hawkeyes astatine Kinnick Stadium. | Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Since Dallas has completed a virtual question and reply pinch Leonhard, he will beryllium eligible for an in-person gathering during nan week betwixt nan Super Bowl, if nan Broncos are still successful nan hunt. Either way, he can't work together to a woody aliases motion a statement until Denver's play is complete.

It would use nan Cowboys to get this process expedited arsenic soon arsenic imaginable truthful they tin find if Leonhard is nan feline aliases not.

That intends Dallas and its fans will astir apt beryllium rooting for Buffalo to propulsion disconnected a roadworthy triumph this weekend.

Leonard is successful his 2nd play pinch nan Broncos and was pursued by different teams past year. He began his coaching profession astatine Wisconsin successful 2016, followed by a short stint astatine Illinois. Leonhard played successful nan NFL for a decade earlier picking up nan whistle.

Denver ranks seventh successful nan convention successful passing defense, allowing 187.2 passing yards per game, and forcing 10 interceptions. Cornerback Patrick Surtain II, nan reigning protect subordinate of nan year, was named to nan Pro Bowl for nan 2nd consecutive season. Surtain II earned 2 All-Pro (1st squad - 2024, 2nd squad - 2025) nods nether Leonhard's command.