They have not tabbed any official candidates just yet, but the Dallas Cowboys are in the market for a new defensive coordinator to replace matt Eberflus, who was fired on Tuesday after one disappointing season in the job. Of course, Eberflus replaced Mike Zimmer, who was fired after one disappointing season, and Zimmer replaced Dan Quinn, who left in 2024 to become head coach of the Commanders.

Seeing as Quinn is the last guy to hold the job for more than one season, it would make sense for the Cowboys to look back with longing at his tenure. Quinn’s defense ranked No. 5 in the NFL in points and yardage allowed, a far cry from the numbers posted under Zimmer (31st in points, 28th in yards) and Eberflus (32nd in points, 30th in yards allowed). The Cowboys would very much like to get back to that kind of performance on that side of the ball.

But with Quinn ensconced as the head coach in Washington, the Cowboys will have to go for the next best thing–a former Quinn acolyte.

Raheem Morris Has Dan Quinn Connection

That’s the thinking presented by Sports Illustrated insider Albert Breer, who notes that the Cowboys intend to “move quickly” on a defensive coordinator, despite Jerry Jones’ long history of moving a tortoise speed when it comes to hiring.

One name stands out as a real possibility as a fit for the job–Falcons coach Raheen Morris, who was abruptly fired after two years on Monday. Morris was Quinn’s defensive coordinator in Atlanta, and took over for him as the interim coach when he was fired in 2020.

Here’s Breer: “I’d expect the Cowboys to move fast in looking at defensive coordinator candidates with Matt Eberflus officially out. And looking at Brian Schottenheimer’s background, it’d be easy to look at guys who’ve worked with Dan Quinn as fits—Schottenheimer and Quinn forged a strong relationship on Mike McCarthy’s staff, to the point where Quinn tried to bring Schottenheimer to Washington with him.

“Along those lines, (Jeff) Ulbrich and Morris are available, with the idea of a run at Flores or Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia also floating out there.”

Cowboys Need Defensive Backfield Help

Flores, of course, is Brian Flores, the defensive coordinator of the Vikings. He is seeking another head-coaching role and though he is most likely to return to Minnesota if he does not get a top job, he does need a new contract. That could be an opportunity for the Cowboys to swoop in and overpay for Flores, which they have the financial wherewithal to do–but Jones has never been one to give top dollar to coaches, especially assistants.

Jon Machota of The Athletic also tabbed Morris as an Eberflus replacement, also naming Flores, fired Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon and Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.

Wrote Machota of Morris: “The 49-year-old Morris spent the 2021 through 2023 seasons as the Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator, which included winning the Super Bowl in 2021. His resume also includes being the Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach (2009-2011) and Falcons defensive coordinator and interim head coach in 2020. His specialty is the defensive backfield.”

Given the Cowboys’ imploding defensive backs, where star DaRon Bland has struggled with injury and fellow former All-Pro Trevon Diggs was released before the end of the season, Morris makes all the more sense.