FRISCO, Texas – The Dallas Cowboys have announced the dismissal of Matt Eberflus as the team’s defensive coordinator. The decision was made after a season in which the Cowboys’ defense showed performance below expectations. The team finished the season in last place in the league in points allowed per game and in 30th position in yards allowed per game, which led the management to take action.
This decision marks the beginning of a series of changes in the team. The Cowboys will seek their fourth defensive coordinator in the last four years, after the tenures of Dan Quinn (2023) and Mike Zimmer (2024). Eberflus’ experience with the Cowboys, where he was an assistant coach from 2011 to 2017, and his reputation as a quality defensive coordinator, led to his hiring. However, things didn’t work out as expected. For the first time in franchise history, the Cowboys allowed more than 30 points per game (30.1), conceding a team record of 511 points. This is the seventh time since Jerry Jones became owner and general manager in 1989 that the Cowboys’ defense has allowed 400 or more points, and on each occasion there has been a change of coordinator or a radical change of scheme. The Cowboys’ defense suffered a drop in quarterback pressure and a decrease in sacks, with only 35 sacks, their lowest amount since 2020. The rivals scored more than 30 points on nine occasions. The Cowboys allowed a touchdown or a field goal in 91 of 177 offensive series during the season. They allowed 377 yards per game, the third-worst mark in the league. The 12 ball recoveries were the fewest in a season since 2015. Despite an improvement in the run defense, it ranked 23rd. Eberflus took responsibility for the bad season, but also stated that he wouldn’t have done anything differently if he could start over. The inability to consistently pressure the quarterback exposed the Cowboys’ secondary, allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete 68.5% of their passes. Field generals, even those with underperformance, found success against Dallas. Russell Wilson threw for 450 yards and three touchdowns in Week 2. Justin Fields threw for 282 yards, his season high. In the Week 16 loss against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Cowboys failed to sack Justin Herbert, even though he was the most sacked quarterback in the NFL. During the season, Jerry Jones expressed his dissatisfaction with the defensive performance, although he did not completely blame Eberflus. The arrival of defensive tackle Quinnen Williams stabilized the defense during a three-game winning streak, but that didn’t last throughout the season. The Cowboys also signed linebacker Logan Wilson. Cornerbacks Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland barely played together. Bland’s season was cut short by a foot injury that required surgery. Diggs questioned Eberflus’s scheme and requested more man coverage. He missed six games due to a concussion and a knee injury, before being released on December 30th. The Cowboys have two first-round picks in the next draft, but they don’t have picks in the second and third rounds due to trades for Williams and receiver George Pickens. It is almost certain that they will face a defensive overhaul, with five starters or regular players becoming free agents. The change, whether in the coordinator or the scheme, will be necessary after what happened in 2025.We have known Matt Eberflus for decades and have great respect and appreciation for him as a coach and person. However, after reviewing and discussing the results of our defensive performance this season, it became clear that a change was needed.
Jerry Jones, owner and general manager of the Cowboys
