On Tuesday, the Dallas Cowboys announced the dismissal of their defensive coordinator, Matt Eberflus. Having concluded the season with a record of 7-9-1 and failing to qualify for the postseason for the second straight year, the Cowboys are now in search of their fourth defensive coordinator over a four-season span.
Following the appointment of Brian Schottenheimer, a former offensive coordinator, as their new head coach, the Cowboys enlisted Eberflus to take over from Mike Zimmer. Eberflus’s mission was to revitalize a defensive unit that had previously ranked 31st in points conceded, 28th in total yards given up, and 29th in rushing yards allowed.
Prior to the commencement of the season, the Cowboys sent their star defender, Micah Parsons, to the Green Bay Packers in a trade. In return, Dallas received two first-round draft selections and Kenny Clark, aiming to improve their run defense.
Despite these modifications, the Cowboys’ defensive performance remained subpar throughout the current season. Speaking on 105.3 The Fan, Stephen Jones, the Cowboys’ Executive Vice President, commented that the team’s defense was without a clear identity.
“Our defensive unit needs to forge a distinct identity. I believe we never truly defined our defensive character. We weren’t effective at generating turnovers; we struggled to regain possession. We conceded numerous big plays. While there were moments we seemed to contain the run, there’s considerable effort required on that side of the game, a fact I think is universally acknowledged. We’re fully committed to addressing this.”
“Ultimately, our defense must develop a clear identity. I don’t believe we achieved that goal this season. Irrespective of whether it’s Coach (Matt) Eberflus or someone else in charge, establishing a coherent identity is paramount.”
“I believe there’s a consensus that Coach (Brian) Schottenheimer exudes immense energy, possesses genuine authenticity, and operates with a clear identity. We need to align with that approach across all three game segments. I feel we accomplished this in one segment (offense) this year, but I’m uncertain if we managed to establish it in the remaining two segments (defense, special teams).”
The Dallas squad surrendered an average of 30.1 points per contest, the highest tally across the NFL, and ranked 30th in average yards permitted per game, yielding 377 yards. Furthermore, the Cowboys’ defensive unit consistently failed to generate turnovers or pressure opposing quarterbacks, a capability that had been a hallmark during former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn’s tenure.
Their performance placed them 30th in forced turnovers and 27th in quarterback sacks. This outcome occurred despite the Cowboys’ acquisition of defensive tackle Quinnen Williams prior to the trade deadline.
For the concluding three games, Eberflus concluded the season from the coaches’ booth, having transitioned from the sidelines. Cowboys proprietor Jerry Jones had indicated his intention to assess Eberflus’s performance over these last three matchups. The Cowboys’ difficulties persisted, as they conceded over 30 points in two of those three contests.
Prior to his appointment as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator in the previous offseason, Eberflus held the head coaching position for the Chicago Bears. He had also previously functioned as the defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts, following a period as the Cowboys’ linebacker coach. His record as the Bears’ head coach stood at 14 wins and 32 losses.
