It would be an understatement to say Dallas Cowboys fans have gone through it this week. The team announced Brian Schottenheimer as its new head coach on Friday after an absolute abomination of an interview process that included just three external candidates.
While Cowboys fans are still processing that news, they had to watch the Philadelphia Eagles steamroll the Washington Commanders to punch a ticket to the Super Bowl.
It will be the Eagles' third Super Bowl appearance in the last eight years. They have their core locked up for the long haul and they're one of the most aggressive and diligent teams in the NFL when it comes to drafting and signing players in free agency.
Micah Parsons knows all to well that Philly will be a problem for a long time. It will be up to the Chiefs or Bills to prevent the Eagles from winning it all.
In the meantime, though, Dallas needs to focus on rounding out Schottenheimer's coaching staff. Well, one big domino has fallen in that regard and Cowboys fans won't like it.
Eagles' NFC title game win made worse for Cowboys fans by worrying Mike Zimmer rumor
According to Cowboys insider Ed Werder, Zimmer will not return as defensive coordinator and will likely retire from coaching in the NFL.
Mike Zimmer tells me that he will not be returning to the #Cowboys as a member of Brian Schottenheimer’s coaching staff and will likely retire from coaching in the NFL.
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdNFL) January 26, 2025
Zimmer served as defensive coordinator last season. Cowboys likely to hire Matt Eberflus as DC, per sources. pic.twitter.com/MhKp1Lpfkv
Multiple Cowboys reporters have heard whispers that Zimmer is contemplating retirement. Zimmer himself said after the season that his return to the NFL was difficult. While he hasn't officially announced his retirement, he gave off the impression of someone who knew it was last year.
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Can you blame him? After 23 years in the league, including eight as a head coach with the Vikings, Zimmer has nothing left to prove. Before that he was a high-end defensive coordinator for 15 years and won a Super Bowl with Dallas in 1995 as the team's defensive backs coach.
The Cowboys defense struggled initially under Zimmer, but growing pains were expected given Zimmer's complicated scheme and how much it differed from Dan Quinn's. The unit came on really strong in the final two months despite missing several impact players due to injury.
Cowboys fans wanted Zimmer back so the defense could build on that momentum. It stands to reason that the group would have made a significant leap. That was the issue with signing Zimmer to a one-year contract in the first place, but failing to think bigger picture is one of this front office's myriad flaws.
Hopefully, whomever replaces Zimmer (likely Eberflus) gets a multi-year deal so Micah Parsons and Co. can start to establish some continuity. Three defensive coordinators in as many years is not ideal for any team.
Oh, and the Eagles are on to the Super Bowl. What's next?