3 defensive coordinators the Cowboys need to hire in 2021

The Cowboys only interviewed one candidate other than McCarthy for their head coaching job, and that was Lewis, who was let go by the Cincinnati Bengals after a 15-year stint. Lewis, the mastermind of the 2000 Ravens defense, has linked up with his buddy Herm Edwards at Arizona State after the NFL exiled him. While it is fair to question Lewis‘ chops as a head coach, his defensive mind remains as sharp as ever, and Jones could try to bring him in as the defensive coordinator if he wants a quick fix.

The biggest problem in Dallas, in tandem with poor talent on the defensive side of the ball, is a lack of leadership and cohesion. Considering Lewis’ experience in the NFL, he should be able to get this fractured bunch playing as one. While he hasn’t had a ton of opportunities to showcase his work in Tempe, the Sun Devils are playing the same aggressive style of defense Lewis perfected in Baltimore and installed in Cincinnati. If worse comes to worst and the Cowboys decided to fire McCarthy, they will have a perfect candidate ready to step in and lead this team in Lewis.