Cowboys pull plug on short-lived Matt Eberflus experiment
Matt Eberflus is out in Dallas, where the former Bears head coach failed to repair a defense that allowed 30.1 points and 377 yards per game in the 2025 season.
Eberflus, a former linebackers coach with the Cowboys, was trumpeted as a home-run hire by franchise owner Jerry Jones last winter.
With the latest change, the Cowboys are set to hire a new defensive coordinator for the fourth time in four years.
Jones hinted Sunday night after a loss to the Giants to end the regular season that a full review of the defensive coaching staff was likely.
"I might not couch it as difficult," Jones said of making another change at defensive coordinator. "It's certainly something that we have to do. And that is to look at the entire year and look at what our options are, and how to correct it so we're not here at the same time next year. Now, that's not uncommon to evaluate at this time of the year -- your entire coaching staff. And, obviously, the target is on him because of our statistical, as well as actual play on the defensive side of the ball, but that goes with it."
Dallas subtracted All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons days before the regular season began and the Cowboys scrambled to field a productive defense most of the year.
Dallas was 30th in total defense, 32nd (last) in passing defense at 251.5 yards per game and last in third-down defense, giving up a first down on more than 47% of third-down snaps.
The Cowboys allowed a franchise-record 511 points, a total of 59 offensive touchdowns and 11.9 yards per reception.