The Dallas Cowboys are, in fact, leaving no stone unturned in their search for a new defensive coordinator. That’s because Brian Schottenheimer is behind the wheel, not Jerry Jones.
It was just two years ago that Dallas’ DC search included retreads like Rex Ryan and Ron Rivera. Now, they’re targeting young, innovative assistants. That’s where the NFL is moving, and Brian Schottenheimer is smart to want a piece of it.
Dubious developments are inevitable in any coaching search, however, and the Cowboys’ first true curveball arrived quickly, with NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reporting that Dallas has requested an interview with Giants outside linebackers coach Charlie Bullen.
Bullen was New York’s interim defensive coordinator after the team moved on from Shane Bowen in late November. The Giants’ defense showed real improvement under Bullen’s coaching,
The #Cowboys have requested an interview with Charlie Bullen for their DC job, source says. While the #Giants pursue John Harbaugh, Bullen gets interest from elsewhere in the NFC East. https://t.co/eKBL82EulW
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 14, 2026
Add Giants’ outside linebackers coach Charlie Bullen to Cowboys’ list of DC candidates
Bullen served as New York’s interim defensive coordinator after the team moved on from Shane Bowen in late November. The Giants’ defense experienced real improvement under Bullen’s coaching, ranking fourth in EPA per play and sixth in dropback EPA from Weeks 15 to 18.
The league clearly took note of that, as Garafalo previously tabbed Bullen as a DC candidate for prospective head coaches. Even if Bullen doesn’t get the Cowboys’ job, he could join what is expected to be an overhauled defensive staff.
Bobby Belt of 105.3 The Fan pointed out that Bullen and Broncos pass game coordinator Jim Leonhard, who interviewed with Dallas last week, were both on Illinois’ coaching staff in 2023, with Bullen serving as outside linebackers coach, and Leonhard as a senior analyst.
If the Cowboys were to hire Leonhard as their new DC, Bullen could end up as one of his top lieutenants. That is all conjecture, but their familiarity is something Cowboys fans should keep in their back pocket.
After all, Belt has a strong hunch that Dallas is “waiting” for the Broncos to crash out of the playoffs, which would make Leonhard available for a second interview. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that both Leonhard and Bullen end up on the 2026 staff.
The Cowboys’ interest in Bullen may have nothing to do with his ties to Leonhard, but a coaching search of this magnitude leaves plenty of room for speculation.
