Report: Cowboys to interview Ron Rivera for defensive coordinator

Dan Quinn has been in the NFL coaching rumors for a couple of years now and finally landed a job on Thursday. He will leave Dallas in favor of an NFC East rival, taking over as the head coach of the Washington Commanders. This leaves the Cowboys without a defensive coordinator late in the cycle.

Dallas was thought to be going with an internal hire, with Joe Whitt Jr. presumed to be a favorite to land the job. However, Mike McCarthy will reportedly still look from the outside.

According to David Moore of the Dallas Morning News, the Cowboys will interview Ron Rivera for the defensive coordinator job. Rivera was recently fired by Washington after four seasons. If he was hired by Dallas, he and Quinn would essentially be switching positions.

“Search for Dan Quinn’s replacement will include external candidates, 2 people w/ knowledge of today’s meetings said,” Moore said via X. “Ron Rivera slated for interview next week, 1 person said. Widening net means club could lose top internal candidate Joe Whitt Jr. to Washington.”

Rivera has not been a defensive coordinator in over a decade, last serving in the role with the San Diego Chargers in 2010. He was hired by the Carolina Panthers the following season and was a consistent winner. In nine seasons, the Panthers won three NFC South titles and made it to the Super Bowl in 2015.

After Carolina moved on from Rivera, Washington came calling but success did not follow. While the Commanders won the NFC East in his first season, they did so with a 7-9 record. Rivera was not able to produce a winning season in our nation’s capital, with 8-8-1 being the ceiling.

McCarthy and Rivera took over in the same seasons, with Dallas finishing with a 5-3 advantage in the head-to-head category.

Dallas Cowboys hiring DC late in the coaching cycle

Washington was the last available head coaching job, with other staffs across the league beginning to fill out. So when Quinn accepted, this left Dallas without a defensive coordinator late in the cycle. The transition could be an easy one if the Cowboys decide to go with a promotion and elevate Whitt.

Whitt could still follow Quinn to the Commanders, forcing Dallas to go with an outside hire. At the very least, Rivera’s interview potentially just is McCarthy and the front office making sure all bases are covered.