Former Vikings DC Won’t Return to Cowboys in 2023

Flashback: Vikings Defeat Cowboys in 2009 Playoffs
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports.

The Dallas Cowboys fell to the NFC Championship-bound San Francisco 49ers in last weekend’s Divisional Round showdown, 19-12, and head coach Mike McCarthy is evidently making some changes.

McCarthy, who is sometimes the butt of jokes via game management, couldn’t end Dallas’ 27-year conference championship appearance drought and apparently believes his staff needs reform. One man affected is former Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator George Edwards.

Former Vikings DC Won’t Return to Cowboys in 2023

ESPN’s Todd Archer tweeted Wednesday, “Multiple sources say the Cowboys will not bring back senior defensive assistant George Edwards, assistant DL coach Leon Lett, RBs coach Skip Peete and OL coach Joe Philbin to the 2023 coaching staff. They were among the number of coaches with expiring contracts.”

Former Vikings DC
Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports,

Edwards is considered “one of the good guys” around the league — revered, even — so his non-return to the Cowboys in 2023 is akin to the Vikings theoretically telling wide receiver Keenan McCardell “goodbye” after the Vikings lost to the New York Giants a couple of weeks ago. Of course, that did happen for McCardell — because he’s one of the good guys — but the Edwards news is strange.

The Vikings employed Edwards from 2014 to 2019 as defensive coordinator, which basically meant he was a sidekick to Mike Zimmer, who most believed was the defensive mastermind. And Edwards’ tenure exactly aligned with the Vikings leaguewide defensive supremacy. From 2014 to 2019 — or the Edwards Era — the Vikings ranked first in the NFL per defensive EPA/Play. After he left, from 2020 to present, Minnesota has ranked 20th in the same metric, a nasty 19-spot drop in the last three years.

Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports.

Edwards was a senior defensive assistant with the Cowboys and was, of course, beloved by players. Popular Dallas sports media personality Newy Scruggs tweeted about Edwards’ departure Thursday, “McCarthy got rid of George Edwards who bonded with the Cowboys best player. SMH.”

Josina Anderson tweeted about Edwards, “I just spoke with George Edwards & he said when he found out yesterday he was shocked & when Dan Quinn spoke to him upon returning from the Cardinals interview D.Q. expressed confusion. Anyways, George said, like he’s told Micah, ‘you gotta keep looking forward.'”

Anderson followed up the tweet on Thursday morning, “I’m still trying to understand why the Cowboys are moving on from George Edwards? ?”

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports.

And perhaps the granddaddy of them all for “what in the world?” tweets about Edwards’ non-retention came from All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons. On Thursday, he paid tribute to Edwards on Twitter, “All I can say is thank you! Not for taking a kid from Harrisburg but for raising me like I was one of your own! I wouldn’t have made so many leaps with out you! You will be missed! #love.”

The Cowboys defense ranked second in the NFL per defensive EPA/Play in 2022. Edwards’ boss, Dan Quinn, is expected to land a head coaching days in mere days.


Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.

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