Matt Eberflus appears set to become a one-and-done DC in Dallas. Jerry Jones‘ comments point to a firing. The Cowboys finished last in points allowed and 30th in total defense. Jones identified the secondary as a particular concern area. The group has already undergone changes, beginning with the Trevon Diggs cut.
“Probably the one that I think was the most impactful is that we had a high expectation in our secondary, and I thought we would be good at all phases of it,” Jones said, via DallasCowboys.com’s Tommy Yarrish. “… The secondary really had issues regarding personnel, time on the field, time at practice. We weren’t ambitious, we knew some of those guys would be getting back [from injury]… I would say that’s the area.”
The Cowboys played a chunk of the season without Diggs, who has battled knee trouble since his September 2023 ACL tear, and placed the recently extended DaRon Bland on IR last month. The team did not see third-round rookie cornerback Shavon Revel debut until November due to a college ACL tear, and Kaiir Elam disappointed following an offseason trade. Pro Football Focus ranks safeties Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson and Markquese Bell outside the top 65 at the position. Changes figure to come there as well.
While Jones said blame for the defensive issues is widespread, Eberflus is widely expected to be out. By 2026, the Cowboys should have a fourth DC this decade. Here is the latest from the NFC East:
- No official decision on Eberflus will come for more than a week, according to the Dallas Morning News’ Nick Harris. The Cowboys will wait on this, planning to conduct a review before determining their staff direction. It could be up to 12 days before a decision emerges. The Cowboys regularly operate methodically here, as their past two HC changes have shown. Eberflus will now wait for his likely pink slip.
- On the Diggs topic, Brian Schottenheimer confirmed the since-waived CB was not the only one to request to stay in Washington after the team’s Christmas game. Schottenheimer denied the other players’ requests as well, via the Dallas Morning News’ Joseph Hoyt, indicating such requests would only be granted for family emergencies. The Packers have since claimed Diggs, who made his debut with the team in Week 18.
- Giants ownership will be present for the upcoming coaching interviews, Joe Schoen confirmed (via the New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy). John Mara is battling cancer, so it will be interesting to learn how involved he will be. Co-owner Steve Tisch is based in California and does not work in the building like Mara does.
- Brian Burns earned a nice pay bump based on a performance incentive. Burns collected a $1.8MM incentive for surpassing 12.5 sacks and earning a Pro Bowl nod, with Duggan adding the Giants edge rusher’s 2026 salary will increase by $1.8MM as a result. Burns, who finished with 16.5 sacks, is signed through the 2028 season.
- Von Miller also triggered an incentive, with the future Hall of Fame pass rusher’s ninth sack earning him an additional $1MM. Miller played on a contract that brought $6.1MM in base value plus incentives this season. He is interested in staying with the Commanders; the nine sacks were the 36-year-old’s most in a season since 2021.
- Tyler Biadasz is tied to a three-year, $30MM Commanders contract. The veteran center is entering a platform year in 2026, and The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala notes he is due a $1MM bonus on April 1. The former Cowboys starter, whom Jhabvala tabs an extension candidate, is tied to an $11MM cap hit for 2026.
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