The Dallas Cowboys are poised to part ways with defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus following a deeply disappointing 2025 NFL season, according to reports.
A Season of Defensive Struggles
Ownership, reportedly including owner Jerry Jones, has grown deeply dissatisfied with the team's defensive production. This comes as the Cowboys enter Sunday's season finale against the New York Giants with a record of just 7-8-1, missing the playoffs for a second consecutive year. The failure is particularly stark given the performance of the other side of the ball: the Cowboys' offence ranked first in the league for yardage and fourth in points scored.
The defensive collapse has been dramatic. After recording 52 sacks in 2024 (third in the NFL), the unit has managed only 31 sacks this season. This lack of pressure has had a cascading effect, with opposing quarterbacks completing a staggering 68.6 percent of their passes against Dallas, a figure that ranks 30th out of 32 teams.
Roots of the Problem and Coaching Fallout
The defence's issues were compounded by a significant pre-season loss: the trade of All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers. Eberflus, in his first season with Dallas after being fired as head coach of the Chicago Bears during the 2024 season, failed to generate an effective pass rush without his star player.
While the defensive coordinator position looks set for change, first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer's job is considered safe. His success with the elite offence, building on his prior work as coordinator, has secured his position for now.
Potential Replacements for the Dallas DC Role
Several candidates are already being linked to the soon-to-be-vacant defensive coordinator role in Dallas. The most prominent name is Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, whose contract expires after the season. Flores has engineered a strong defence in Minnesota, ranking sixth in yards allowed, despite the Vikings' own middling 8-8 record.
Other potential candidates include:
- Recently fired New York Jets defensive coordinator Steve Wilks.
- Carolina Panthers defensive passing game coordinator Jonathan Cooley.
- Indianapolis Colts linebacker coach James Bettcher.
Flores brings a notable profile, having previously served as head coach of the Miami Dolphins and as a key defensive architect for the New England Patriots' Super Bowl LIII victory. He is also known for his ongoing lawsuit against the NFL and several teams, alleging violations of the Rooney Rule regarding minority hiring practices. A federal appeals court recently ruled that case can proceed in open court.
The expected dismissal of Eberflus signals a clear intent from Cowboys leadership to urgently address the glaring weakness that undermined a potentially playoff-calibre team in 2025.
