The Dallas Cowboys’ defensive coordinator, Matt Eberflus, faces mounting criticism as his team concludes the 2025 season with significant defensive struggles. Team owner and general manager Jerry Jones publicly defended Eberflus on Sunday, just before the Cowboys’ season finale against the New York Giants. Jones emphasized that the defensive issues predate Eberflus’s tenure, highlighting a long-standing problem that has persisted for years.
“Don’t blame this all on Flus,” Jones stated, according to a report by Jon Machota of The Athletic. “This took five or six years to get here. … I can make a case for you that we haven’t had a satisfactory defense for five or six years, really.”
During the previous seasons under Dan Quinn, who served as defensive coordinator from 2021 to 2023, the Cowboys showcased a more formidable defense. When queried about this period, Jones acknowledged its impact but noted, “But we were porous when we got in the playoffs.” He praised Quinn’s contributions but expressed regret over not retaining him, stating, “Dan did a great job. We really wanted to keep Dan.”
Eberflus was appointed prior to the 2025 season following his dismissal as head coach of the Chicago Bears. As the Cowboys reflect on their season, they will undoubtedly consider the implications of their defensive performance. Currently, Dallas boasts the league’s top offense but ranks 30th in defense, culminating in a disappointing record of 7-8-1, which eliminates them from postseason contention.
The absence of Micah Parsons, an All-Pro pass rusher, has significantly impacted the Cowboys’ defensive effectiveness. Before his season-ending ACL injury last month, Parsons had recorded 12.5 sacks and 26 quarterback hits in just 14 games. In contrast, the team’s leading sack earners, James Houston and Jadeveon Clowney, have managed only 5.5 sacks between them.
Eberflus has accepted responsibility for the defense’s shortcomings, stating, “Ownership and accountability is right with me. I’m the defensive coordinator. It’s always that.” He emphasized the need for improvement and pledged to work closely with players and assistant coaches to enhance performance. “If there’s things that need to be improved, it falls on the coach and it falls on the assistant coaches,” he added.
As the Cowboys prepare for their final game of the season, speculation regarding Eberflus’s future is growing. NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that the team is likely to make changes to its coaching staff, with Eberflus being a primary focus.
With significant decisions ahead, the Cowboys’ management faces the challenge of addressing both the immediate defensive issues and the long-term strategy for success in the coming seasons.
