The Dallas Cowboys have received a ton of backlash for the process that led them to hiring Brian Schottenheimer as head coach. Since then, though, they have quietly gone about their business and made some objectively strong moves.
The headliner, of course, is signing vice president of player personnel Will McClay to a five-year contract extension. McClay, who essentially serves as general manager, was set to be out of a contract after the draft so Dallas was smart to extend him ahead of time.
Hiring Matt Eberflus as defensive coordinator is another sound move. Joining Eberflus on the defensive staff is Aaron Whitecotton, who served as the Jets' defensive line coach the last four years and will take the same position with the Cowboys.
The Jets reportedly hoped to keep Whitecotton on Aaron Glenn's staff and fans were devasted to learn he was leaving. Whitecotton was highly regarded in the building so this was a textbook poaching job from the Cowboys' front office.
Another reason to get excited about Whitecotton's arrival? He may give Dallas further incentive to keep a key free agent.
Cowboys more likely to re-sign Osa Odighizuwa after Aaron Whitecotton, Matt Eberflus hires
There's a big debate amongst Cowboys fans about whether the team should re-sign Odighizuwa or Jourdan Lewis. Ideally, both players are back but Odighizuwa may take precedence given Dallas' lack of depth and quality at the defensive tackle position.
The three-technique is arguably the most important position in an Eberflus defense and Whitecotton has had success with pass-rushing interior defensive linemen throughout his coaching career.
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Jets star Quinnen Williams had 29.5 sacks in Whitecotton's four years as New York's defensive line coach, while nine-year veteran Quinton Jefferson had a career-high six sacks in 2023 under Whitecotton's watch.
Eberflus isn't what you would call an "aggressive" defensive coordinator. He often rushes four and drops seven into coverage. Well, Whitecotton has a history of successfully scheming a four-man attack that doesn't blitz a lot.
A third-round pick in 2021, Odighizuwa's 60 pressures this past season were third-most among interior defenders, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). He was also third with 13 quarterback hits and trailed only Chiefs superstar Chris Jones with a 15.1% pass-rush win rate.
Stephen Jones told Yahoo Sports' Jori Epstein at the Senior Bowl that extending Odighizuwa is a "priority" for Dallas this offseason.
Considering Eberflus' scheme hinges on a stud three-technique tackle and Whitecotton's history of squeezing every ounce of potential out of his defensive linemen, you have to think the Cowboys will pony up the necessary cash to keep Odighizuwa in Dallas for the foreseeable future.