In the wake of the Dallas Cowboys’ embarrassing Week 15 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, it seems appropriate to dream of “what might have been” at the defensive coordinator spot. It’s Dallas’ defensive coordinator position that has shouldered most of the blame this season. And rightfully so.

It’s the defense that’s been underachieving to the tune of a No. 29 ranking in yards and a No. 30 ranking in EPA/play. It’s the defense that’s been reinforced, refurbished and rebranded. It’s the defense that’s allowed multiple career days to opposing quarterbacks. And it’s the defense that‘s kept the pressure on the offense to be perfect. Despite employing more than a few well-regarded players, it’s the defense that looks hopeless and in need of a complete overhaul.

It stands to reason, had the right defensive coach been at the helm, things would look wildly different than they do today. Fair or not, we explore what might have been had the Cowboys just promoted Aden Durde rather than embarking in a fruitless game of musical chairs for, what will likely be, three consecutive seasons.

When Dan Quinn left the Cowboys to become Washington’s next head coach in 2024, many Cowboys fans felt it was probably time for a change. By the numbers Quinn had been wildly successful in Dallas but the defense all too often fell flat against quality opponents. His player-friendly approach might not have produced enough discipline or accountability and in order to take the next step a new voice might have been needed in Dallas.

Durde had been a rising star for the Cowboys since 2021. The British born linebacker turned coach was making history in his rise through the ranks and was one of Dallas’ most respected assistants by the end of the Quinn tenure. Yet, some in Cowboys front office felt he wasn’t quite ready for the leap to DC so they turned their attention to the retread market, allowing Durde to move to Seattle as the Seahawks new coordinator instead.

Since that moment the Seahawks defense has gotten progressively better while the Cowboys defense has gotten progressively worse. Seattle ranks No. 4 in yards and No. 2 in EPA/play in 2025 and have become masters at adjusting to the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents.  It’s been the polar opposite in Dallas with Matt Eberflus, the Cowboys’ third DC in as many years, stubbornly employing a scheme many see as an ill-fit. Neither discipline nor accountability had been discovered in the post-Quinn era and Eberflus figures to be yet another one-and-done coordinator for Dallas.

With the defensive guru Mike McDonald at head coach, all the credit doesn’t land on Durde alone. In all fairness it’s a group effort with the Seahawks. Yet based on reports, it’s Durde who’s been responsible for install and Durde who’s behind the halftime adjustments so he’s clearly worthy of praise and deserving of all the accolades he’s been receiving.

It would be nice to have a defensive coach to build around in Dallas. A coach like Durde would have been a nice piece to grow with these past two seasons. He’d probably have the Cowboys on the path and ready to take the next step in Year 3. Instead, the Cowboys are prepping for another reset, another regroup, and another retooling of personnel. Veteran retreads might not have the same growing pains as young coaches like Aden Durde but one might say growing pains are preferable to rigor mortis any day of the week.

It’s easy to second guess after the fact, but the learning opportunity is that it might be worth building around a smart and promising rising star. It allows for greater continuity, less stubbornness and more innovation with the personnel on hand.

You can follow Reid on X @ReidDHanson and be sure to follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!