The Dallas Cowboys’ pursuit of Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich always looked ambitious. Now, it’s officially over, at least for this offseason. Jerry Jones wanted a conversation. He never got one. With Atlanta making a swift move to keep Ulbrich, that door is firmly shut.

“Jeff Ulbrich will remain in Atlanta,” reported Cowboys reporter Nick Harris on X. “Cowboys wanted to speak with him about their defensive coordinator opening but they won’t get the chance.”

The Falcons have extended Ulbrich ahead of the 2026 season, ensuring he remains in Atlanta and eliminating any chance of the Cowboys interviewing the 48-year-old as a replacement for Matt Eberflus. The move comes just weeks after Dallas made its interest clear, only to be met with resistance from Atlanta.

That resistance wasn’t complicated. Falcons owner Arthur Blank had already made it known that the organization wanted Ulbrich to stay put. The only caveat was that the final call would belong to the team’s next head coach. Once that piece fell into place, everything else fell into place quickly.

Jeff Ulbrich was not just retained in Atlanta. He was rewarded for engineering one of the league’s sharpest defensive turnarounds. Under his watch, the Falcons vaulted from second-to-last in sacks to second overall, shattered a franchise record with 57 sacks, and finished top seven in takeaways, all while developing multiple rookies into immediate impact players. It was exactly the kind of defensive leap the Cowboys were hoping to tap into before Ulbrich chose continuity.

That sting only deepened for Dallas, a defense that allowed 40 or more points three times and bled over 30 points per game. Those collapses ultimately cost Matt Eberflus his job after just one season, making Ulbrich’s extension feel like a missed lifeline.

On Saturday, Atlanta hired Kevin Stefanski as the new franchise head coach. Almost immediately, the Falcons moved to secure their defensive coordinator. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Ulbrich agreed to a three-year extension, ending any speculation about his availability.

Atlanta has been a familiar home for Ulbrich. He previously served as the Falcons’ linebackers coach from 2015 to 2019 before returning last season as defensive coordinator following a four-year stint with the New York Jets. The results in 2025 were, frankly, a mixed bag.

The Falcons ranked fairly low in points allowed, at 28.7 per game, and 27th in total yards allowed, giving up 357.7 yards per game. But the pass rush stood out with 3.4 sacks a game. This especially stood out for the Cowboys, who only managed 2.1. Still, despite the mixed defensive performance, Blank spoke highly of his DC.

“Jeff Ulbrich, in my view, he did a really fine job for us this year,” Blank said. “Certainly look at the record of sacks. And just the overall performance of defense was definitely better than it’s been in the past.”

That said, Ulbrich stays in Atlanta. And the Cowboys? Their chase for the Falcons’ defensive coordinator ends right here. As for finding Eberflus’ replacement, Dallas is still very much searching.

Jerry Jones is looking to pursue another top candidate for DC

Since moving on from Matt Eberflus after a shaky defensive showing in the 2025 season, the Cowboys have been linked to a growing list of defensive coordinator candidates. Names like Minnesota Vikings defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator Daronte Jones and Denver Broncos assistant head coach and pass game coordinator Jim Leonhard, as well as Cleveland Browns safeties coach Ephraim Banda, have all surfaced during the search. But one name continues to rise above the rest.

Brian Flores is emerging as a serious option that makes sense on several levels. His contract with the Vikings recently expired after two seasons. Naturally, it opened the door, at least theoretically, for a move. While Minnesota has been clear about its interest in bringing him back, recent developments suggest Flores is listening.

For context, Flores recently completed an in-person interview with the Washington Commanders for their defensive coordinator opening. That alone signals he’s open to opportunities elsewhere, even though the Vikings seem interested in retaining him. In fact, there are other positions open for him, too.

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Adding another layer to the coaching carousel, reports suggest Brian Flores has already interviewed with both the Steelers and the Ravens for head coaching positions. The quiet interest from two AFC heavyweights signals that Flores’ name is gaining serious traction beyond coordinator conversations.

As for Dallas, no interview has taken place yet, but NFL insider Josina Anderson reports that Flores remains firmly on the Cowboys’ shortlist.

That said, this wouldn’t be a straightforward hire. Dallas is staring at a defensive talent reset heading into 2026, while Flores has been working with an already well-constructed unit in Minnesota. The appeal on both sides is obvious, but so are the challenges. Nothing is finalized. No decision has been made. As usual, Jerry Jones is taking his time. For now, Flores remains a name to watch.