Jerry Jones, the enduring owner and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys, faces a critical decision point. While he urgently seeks an improvement in the team’s defensive performance, he simultaneously recognizes the value of maintaining stability in the defensive coordinator role.
Despite Matt Eberflus’ significant difficulties in his inaugural season — currently, the Cowboys’ defense concedes 30 points per contest, ranking second-highest in the league — dismissing him would result in the team having its fourth defensive coordinator in a four-year span. Dan Quinn departed after the 2023 season to assume the head coaching position for the Washington Commanders. Mike Zimmer did not stay when the Cowboys separated from Mike McCarthy after the 2024 season. Subsequently, Eberflus became part of Brian Schottenheimer’s coaching team.
On Tuesday, Jones addressed a question on Dallas’ 105.3 The FAN regarding whether Eberflus’ future employment would hinge on the defensive output of the 6-7-1 Cowboys during the remaining three regular season matchups.
“I believe that ought to be a significant factor since these three contests are crucial for us,” Jones stated. “Every game we participate in holds importance for us. … Indeed, our performance over these upcoming weeks will serve as a major determinant because, truthfully, I think we are currently experiencing a peak in our team’s physical condition. … Should we manage to deliver three strong performances, then I think that should influence the final choice.”
Dallas concludes its schedule with encounters against the 10-4 Chargers, the 4-10 Commanders, and the 2-12 Giants. The last two of these games will be played away from home for the Cowboys, whose probability of reaching the postseason has now fallen below 1%, as indicated by both NFL.com and The Athletic’s playoff prediction tools.
The Cowboys’ chances of advancing to the playoffs suffered another setback on Sunday evening as the Minnesota Vikings visited AT&T Stadium and handed them a disappointing 34-26 loss.
“Regarding the Minnesota game, we allowed their quarterback to have a highly productive outing against us. That was certainly not our intention,” Jones remarked Tuesday on 105.3 The FAN. “We definitely could have applied more pressure at various junctures, and the outcome was that we permitted him to execute some quite impactful plays on the field. Additionally, he performed rather competently.
“However, it feels as though we consistently say this about these quarterbacks; some of them who haven’t performed as strongly, yet they elevate their play when facing us. I believe that also speaks volumes.”
Vikings’ signal-caller J.J. McCarthy rebounded from an early interception on his initial pass to deliver his second consecutive strong performance in what has otherwise been an inconsistent second year.
McCarthy successfully connected on 15 of 24 pass attempts, accumulating 250 yards, two touchdown passes, and one interception. He further celebrated in the end zone after rushing for another point-scoring play.
He faced pressure on merely nine of his 26 passing attempts, based on data from Pro Football Focus, which highlights his season completion rate while under pressure at a low 47%.
While aggressive blitzing contributed to the Cowboys’ success in forcing McCarthy’s initial interception, Dallas seemed to lessen its use of pressure-oriented schemes as the game progressed.
Supporting Jones’ observation, McCarthy represents the most recent quarterback to achieve surprisingly effective results when facing the Cowboys. Earlier this season, Giants’ passer Russell Wilson racked up 450 yards and three touchdowns against Dallas prior to his demotion. Jets’ quarterback Justin Fields also found himself sidelined this year, but not before he impressively carved through Dallas for 283 aerial yards and two touchdowns. Jacoby Brissett, stepping in for the injured Kyler Murray with the Cardinals, torched the Cowboys for 261 passing yards and two touchdowns during a “Monday Night Football” triumph — which stands as the Cardinals’ only win since the second week of the season.
This season, no other team has conceded a higher average of passing yards per game (254.8) or passing touchdowns per game (2.21) than the Cowboys.
“Thus, to speak with complete frankness,” Jones expressed on Tuesday during his appearance on 105.3 The FAN, “my belief is that if we had managed to bring this defensive unit into superior form sooner, we would now possess a number of victories that would have prevented us from being in this precarious situation.”
The collection of injury concerns, characterized by Jones as a “mixed bag,” undeniably complicated Eberflus’ role. Nevertheless, Jones anticipated greater output from a roster he significantly revamped through two prominent trades: the initial one involved sending away star edge rusher Micah Parsons in exchange for three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark; the subsequent deal, completed before the deadline, secured another three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle, Quinnen Williams.
Even with these changes, impeding opposing running games has periodically posed a challenge for Dallas. In their recent matchup against the Vikings last Sunday, the Cowboys failed to produce the necessary defensive pressure.
Despite possessing a formidable offensive unit, Dallas has been hampered by shortcomings on its defensive side. Jones is fully cognizant of this problem and is working to rectify it — a resolution that might compromise the coaching staff stability he prefers.
