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The Dallas Cowboys are at the forefront of coaching speculation within the NFL as the team remains undecided on the future of head coach Mike McCarthy, whose contract officially expires next Tuesday.
While the head coach's name dominates headlines, it's important to remember the significant experience on this staff, particularly defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, a veteran who returned to the NFL this past season after a two-year hiatus.
After a year full of highs and lows defensively, Zimmer's unit turned things around late in the season and managed to finish third in sacks (52) and 12th in takeaways (22).
Similar to McCarthy, Zimmer's future is also uncertain. Will the Cowboys decide to keep his veteran leadership? Will he choose to step away, or will the team seek a new defensive strategist to build on the momentum gained from the late-season surge as they look toward 2025?
If a new face is the case let's take a look at four names the Cowboys could replace Zimmer with.
Matt Eberflus
One potential candidate is Matt Eberflus, a former head coach who led the Chicago Bears from 2022 to 2024 before being dismissed in November.
Eberflus has ties to the Cowboys organization, having previously served as their linebackers coach and passing game coordinator from 2011 to 2017.
Following his time in Dallas, Eberflus was hired as the defensive coordinator of the Indianapolis Colts from 2018 to 2021.
Eberflus's impact in Indianapolis was truly transformative. When he took over as defensive coordinator, he inherited a Colts defense that had allowed 404 points in 2017, ranking as the second highest in the league. This unit also lacked any Pro Bowl or All-Pro talent prior to his arrival.
During his tenure as defensive coordinator with the Colts from 2018 to 2021, they consistently ranked among the league's best, finishing 11th or better in scoring defense three times.
Additionally, the Colts stood alone as the only NFL defense to achieve top-10 rankings in scoring, run defense, and takeaways in his final two seasons.
Al Harris
The plus side if Zimmer doesn't return is that the Cowboys have an in-house option replacement in defensive backs coach Al Harris.
Harris was hired as part of McCarthy's staff in 2020 and was given the title of assistant head coach prior to the start of the 2024 season.
During Dallas's run of wins between 2021 and 2023, amassing 36 wins over three seasons including two NFC East titles, Harris' defense back's played a pivotal role.
This period witnessed the rise of a dominant cornerback duo: Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland, both NFL interception leaders in their respective seasons and recognized as one of the league's elite tandems.
Since 2020, the Cowboys have recorded an impressive 82 interceptions, with a remarkable 73 coming from their defensive backs the most in that span showcasing their incredible ball-hawking skills.
Dallas needs to act quickly, as all assistants are now free agents and can explore new opportunities.
Rex Ryan
For a truly wild card option, let's throw former New York Jets and Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan into the mix.
His recent interview for the Jets' head coaching vacancy suggests the brash and boisterous coach still has a fire in his belly and a desire to return to the NFL.
In September, Ryan who has been with ESPN since 2017, believed he could have improved the Cowboys' struggling defense, which had allowed 89 points in its first three games, but felt that financial issues were a factor.
"I could've fixed [the Cowboys' defense] in a New York minute," Rex Ryan said onESPN's DiPietro and Rothenberg show. "But, that being said, they couldn't pony up the money, or I would've been there."
Interestingly, this situation could present itself again for Ryan, following in the footsteps of his younger brother, Rob, who held the position of Cowboys defensive coordinator from 2011 to 2012.
Robert Saleh
Likely the most coveted defensive mind on the open market is former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh.
Saleh's Jets tenure was marked by more challenges than triumphs, ultimately leading to his dismissal in October 2024 after a disappointing 2-3 start to the season. He became the first NFL head coach to be fired this past year.
Despite the disappointing results, the Jets ranked fourth in points allowed in 2022, 12th in 2023, and were fifth just before his dismissal.
Before joining the Jets, Saleh was the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers from 2017 to 2020, where he led a formidable defense in 2019.
That unit boasted the league's top-ranked pass defense, generated 48 sacks (fourth-most in the NFL), and surrendered just 19.4 points per game, propelling them to Super Bowl contention.
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2 Steelers first-stringers in danger of losing starting jobs ahead of 2025 NFL season
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a different look and a different feel coming into the 2025 season after bringing in Aaron Rodgers as their new starting quarterback. Poor QB play has haunted Mike Tomlin and company throughout the last few years ever since Ben Roethlisberger left his prime, and they are hoping that Rodgers helps fix that issue. While the future Hall-of-Famer is firmly cemented as the team’s starting quarterback, there are some other positions on the roster that are still up for grabs as the preseason rages on and Tomlin finalizes what his lineup for Week 1. The Steelers also brought in DK Metcalf in a blockbuster trade with the Seattle Seahawks this offseason, giving Rodgers a true No. 1 option to throw the ball to. They also offloaded George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys in a separate trade, leaving that second wide receiver spot there for the taking. The Steelers also lost Najee Harris this offseason, making Jaylen Warren the presumed featured back. However, that spot could be in jeopardy as well if the returning running back isn’t careful. Earlier in training camp, the Steelers released their first unofficial depth chart of the season. Here are two players who showed up as starters in that release that could get caught for those spots in the coming weeks. RB Jaylen Warren Jaylen Warren has been splitting carries and touches with Najee Harris over the last couple of years, but with Harris gone he seemed destined to be the featured back for Tomlin and company. Not so fast. Insert former Iowa superstar Kaleb Johnson, who the Steelers drafted in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. That was maybe a bit later than many expected Johnson to be selected after his spectacular 2024 season with the Hawkeyes, but that also means there is a chance that the Steelers got a steal. It won’t be easy to take the job from Warren, who does a lot of things well and can positively impact the offense both in the running game and as a receiver. In his three seasons in Pittsburgh, Warren has amassed 2,568 yards and six touchdowns. He has great burst but also solid power in between the tackles and runs very low to the ground, making it difficult to bring him down. However, Warren’s size makes it somewhat difficult to envision him being a true workhorse back, which could open the door for Johnson to become a bellcow on early downs. At 6-foot-1, 224 pounds, the rookie is a much bigger back who is built to withstand the rigors of getting a lot of touches every week. That was on full display at Iowa last season, when Johnson rushed for 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns, leading the Big Ten in both categories despite playing in an offense that offered no threat through the air. If it weren’t for the spectacular season of Ashton Jeanty at Boise State, Johnson could have garnered more recognition for awards at the end of the season. Johnson looked a step slow in his preseason debut against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he still has the ability to become the main back on early downs for Tomlin and company before too long. WR Calvin Austin III This comes with a bit of a caveat that the Steelers list just two starting wide receivers on their depth chart along with two tight ends, which leaves room for a third wideout that could be a potential “starter” in Arthur Smith’s offense. Austin is listed as the second starter alongside DK Metcalf, but Smith could opt to go with veteran Robert Woods in certain situations and make Austin more of a third slot wide receiver. The primary reason for this is that Woods has built a reputation as one of the best run blockers in football at his position. Smith loves to run the football, and the Steelers project to have one of the highest run rates in the league this coming season. Woods doesn’t have the same juice as a receiver that he once did, but he could see the field more one early downs and in neutral situations while Smith looks to get the most he can out of his run game. Austin is also dealing with an injury during the preseason that has held him out of practice, which could hurt him in getting to 100% by the time the regular season starts. Still, Austin will be a big part of the offense when he does get healthy. He is one of the most explosive players on the team and gives the Steelers a big-play threat that can take the top off the defense at any time. Now that Pittsburgh should have its best quarterback play during Austin’s career, he could have a lot more big plays coming his way in the near future.
Kings Predicted to Send Malik Monk to Lakers for $66 Million Duo in Offseason Trade
As the 2025-26 NBA season nears, one team that continues to be the subject of trade rumors is the Sacramento Kings. Of course, the Kings elected to keep their core of Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVien together this offseason despite many around the league expecting them to begin a rebuild. Sacramento also made some notable additions to their roster this summer as they selected Nique Clifford and Maxime Raynaud in the 2025 draft and added Dennis Schroder in free agency. While the Kings have upgraded their roster this offseason, some of their players continue to be in trade rumors, primarily for Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga who Sacramento is reportedly targeting. For the Kings, multiple players have come up in trad rumors this summer but none more than Malik Monk who is coming off the best season of his NBA career. Despite this, the Kings have elected to keep Monk thus far but that could change as they continue to look for ways to upgrade their roster even more this offseason to chase a playoff spot next season. Kings predicted to trade Malik Monk to Lakers With this in mind, SB Nations’ Jacob Rude recently released a mock trade that would send Malik Monk to the Los Angeles Lakers for two players. In the trade, the Kings would land Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber and a lottery protected 2031 first-round pick from the Lakers in return for Monk. This trade does not make a ton of sense for the Kings as they would swap one of the best scorers on their roster for two veterans who struggled last season and a lottery protected first-round pick. Both Vincent and Kleber would be solid additions to the Kings’ roster as they would fill two glaring holes in their rotation, but Sacramento would likely want more in return for Monk, especially with him coming off the best season of his career. Because of this, it is highly unlikely that the Kings would agree to this trade as they could possibly receive a larger return for their veteran guard from another team this offseason.
Astros' playoff push dealt significant blow
The Houston Astros' playoff push received a devastating blow on Tuesday. The Astros announced that closer Josh Hader was placed on the injured list with a strained left shoulder. Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reported that Hader will undergo further tests to determine the severity of the strain. Hader has been utterly dominant for the Astros in 2025. He had posted a 2.05 ERA and a 0.854 WHIP over his 52.2 innings, striking out 76 batters with 16 walks. Hader had notched 28 saves in 29 attempts as he continued to make a case as the best closer in the game. As the July 31 trade deadline has passed, the Astros may have no option but to cobble the ninth inning together out of what they already have. Reliever Bennett Sousa recorded the one-out save on Monday and is second on the team with four saves. Fellow relievers Bryan Abreu, Bryan King and Steven Okert have impressed this season. The Astros, on paper at least, have plenty of depth in the bullpen. Despite that depth, the ninth inning is now a question mark. Abreu has notched nine saves in his career, the most of any of the Astros' other late-inning options. A reunion with reliever Ryan Pressly, who was designated for assignment and subsequently released by the Cubs, could be a possibility. Pressly does have closing experience but struggled to a 4.35 ERA and a 1.524 WHIP over his 41.1 innings in Chicago. Meanwhile, the Mariners have been white-hot since the trade deadline, winning nine of their last 10 games, including seven in a row heading into Tuesday. That surge has the Mariners just a game behind the Astros in a suddenly competitive AL West. The Guardians and Rangers are within 6.5 games of Houston, well within striking distance should the Astros falter. If Hader is on the injured list for an extended period, the Astros may be fighting for a playoff berth by the end of the season.
New Raiders DB Terrell Edmunds On Joining The Squad, Pete Carroll Ideology, And Learning The Playbook
Recently signed Las Vegas Raiders defensive back Terrell Edmunds is wasting no time making his mark—learning Patrick Graham’s playbook, embracing Pete Carroll’s high-energy culture, and competing every snap. When Edmunds walked into the Raiders’ facility for the first time, he knew he was already behind in one way—the rest of the defensive backs had been in the building since April. But instead of dwelling on the gap, the veteran safety embraced a mindset that has defined his career: be a sponge, be coachable, and outwork everyone. The Raiders got themselves some versatility with Terrell Edmunds… Edmunds, a former first-round pick with years of NFL starting experience, is fully committed to Patrick Graham’s defense. His versatility makes him ready to play at any position. Whether it’s at the safety spot or anywhere else, Edmunds can line up wherever the coaches want him to. “Wherever they want me to go, I just go out there and help out the best way I can,” he said. That method also works for the game’s mental side. Although every playbook contains concepts that are easy to understand, Edmunds recognizes that success relies on understanding the specific needs of this system. The first stage is to gain the trust of your teammates and coaches. The second step is to play quickly and without hesitation. What did he do? He stayed in the building, studied diligently, and sought help from his teammates when necessary. “Nothing for me to do at the hotel anyway,” he joked. Edmunds has also been quick to notice Pete Carroll’s fingerprints on the culture in Las Vegas. Having played for multiple storied coaches, he calls Carroll’s style “unique”—a blend of high energy, constant competition, and relentless positivity. Whether jogging the length of the practice field or leading energetic drills, Carroll has an unmistakable tone. One recent example: a tip-ball competition at practice where Edmunds came up short. The loss didn’t bother him—the message did. Compete every day. Be ready. Bring energy. That’s precisely what Carroll, a former DB coach himself, has told Edmunds he wants to see: speed, energy, and adaptability in the system. For Edmunds, this season represents a new chapter with familiar expectations: work hard, earn trust, and allow performance to speak for itself on Sundays. If initial impressions hold true, the Raiders’ secondary has become tougher, smarter, and significantly more competitive. Now, we will see if this unit can deliver when it counts.
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