Last year, the Cowboys were looking to hire a new defensive coordinator. As Rex Ryan tells it, it would have been him, if they'd been offering more money. This time around, as they reportedly are poised to hire Brian Schottenheimer as Mike McCarthy's successor,

The Cowboys have 27 players set to hit free agency this offseason. While most of the attention in Dallas is on the head coaching search, securing the futures of some of these key players with the team is just as important for the future success in Big D. InsideTheStar.com takes a look at the key players who Dallas needs to bring back.

It looks like a Cowboys head coach candidate and interviewee is now out of the race.

Brian Schottenheimer has emerged as among the favorites to become the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, meaning he could assemble a coaching staff potentially led by Rex Ryan on the defensive side.

Ex-USC and Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll has spoken with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones about the team's open head coaching position amid

Brian Schottenheimer appears to be furthest along the road to a job offer, but Kellen Moore is more widely regarded around the league as a play-caller who is adapting to league trends.

Saleh worked as head coach Kyle Shanahan's first DC with the 49ers from 2017-2020 before becoming the Jets head coach in 2021

Lions LBs coach Kelvin Sheppard is a top candidate to be defensive coordinator, either in Detroit or under Aaron Glenn with the Jets.

The San Francisco 49ers’ search to replace recently-fired defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen has been somewhat confusing. Could they now turn to Pete Carroll?

Kansas City #Chiefs head coach Andy Reid describes his strategy against the Buffalo #Bills: ‘Look at the tape’ | @EdEastonJr

The Washington Commanders have been gashed by the run game in 2024, allowing 138.9 rush yards per game. Saquon Barkley averaged 129.3 rushing yards in 18 games, including playoffs.