The Cowboys will once again have a new defensive coordinator next season. Matt Eberflus has been fired after one year in that role for Dallas, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The news is now official, per a team announcement.
For much of the campaign, struggles on defense proved to be a major detriment to the Cowboys. As that trend continued late in the season, support for Eberflus emanating from owner Jerry Jones seemed to wane. Today’s news thus comes as little surprise, although it comes earlier than expected.
Eberflus lasted less than three seasons during his first head coaching gig, with his Bears tenure ending in November last season. His background as a coordinator led to DC interest in general and ties to the Cowboys in particular. From 2011-17, Eberflus served as Dallas’ linebackers coach. He returned to his former team with the intent of improving a unit which struggled last season under Mike Zimmer.
Things did not go according to plan, to say the least. Under Eberflus, the Cowboys finished last in the NFL in scoring defense and 30th in yards allowed. Struggles in the secondary were a consistent theme all year, with many players having trouble adapting to his zone-heavy scheme. Improving at the cornerback and safety spots will no doubt be an offseason priority regardless of who replaces Eberflus.
Dan Quinn enjoyed a strong three-year run as Dallas’ defensive coordinator before taking his second career head coaching gig. His departure to Washington led to Zimmer’s return to the Cowboys in a familiar D-coordinator role. As expected, the decision to part ways with head coach Mike McCarthy last winter also resulted in Zimmer being replaced. That led to Eberflus’ arrival, but the Cowboys now find themselves in need of a fourth different DC in as many years.
Brian Flores was recently named as a Dallas target for the defensive coordinator position. He has thrived in that role with the Vikings for the past three years, a stretch which has helped his stock and is expected to lead to widespread interest around the league. Flores does not have a contract for next season, but discussions have taken place with Minnesota. It will be interesting to see if the 44-year-old demonstrates a willingness to take charge of the Cowboys’ defense as he weighs his options.
According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, it is currently unclear if any other changes will be made on Dallas’ defensive staff. Further departures would come as little surprise given the team’s struggles on that side of the ball in 2025 but also the trend of new coordinator arrivals bringing in outside assistants.
Who saw this coming? Oh yeah, everyone.
wonder what’s next for him. college?
High school if someone is foolish enough to hire this guy.
This took about 2 days too long!
More like Eberflub amirite
Booo.
Maybe the easiest firing decision of the offseason? They’ve got roster building to do on that side of the ball, but they have some good pieces in place for the next guy. Schottenheiner and Adams did some great work with the offense. Even a lower middle of the pack defense would have made them interesting in such a wide open season.
Excited to not see a million goofy plays on Eberflus’ name anymore.
Maybe he should enjoy being paid by 2 organizations and treat his wife to a vacay.
remember when this guy was a head coach?
If only they had mentioned that in the article- oh wait, they did. Guess you only got through the headline
didn’t need to read it buddy he was one of the worst coaching hires last decade… found new creative ways to choke away games… cute TR badge
Pepperidge Farm remembers
That was actually a very quick firing as far as Jerry is concerned 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Couldn’t have happened to a more clueless guy. Eberflus = Everfarce.
Finally. Odds are Jerry hires another failed DC. 31 years and counting. At least my other teams are doing decent Astros won in 17 and 22 and the Rockets.. well the Rockets it’s been 21 years but they have a really nice core.
Shocked
🎉🎉🎉
How about letting the head coach pick the d coordinator this time Jerruh
Get Flores in here. Screw Minny. Make him the highest paid co ordinator in the league. Just get it done. If he comes in and fixes this
defense, can write his ticket as a HC next off season….lawsuit be damned.
putting my faith in jerry that he’ll hire someone equally incompetent to fill the opening