Matt Eberflus is no longer the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive coordinator, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Tuesday.
Eberflus was relieved of his duties after the Cowboys finished last in the league in points allowed per game and 30th in yards per game.
“We have known Matt Eberflus for decades now, and we have tremendous respect and appreciation for him as a coach and as a person. However, after reviewing and discussing the results of our defensive performance this season, it was clear that a change was necessary,” Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said in a statement. “This is the first step in this process, and we will continue this review to achieve our much higher expectations.” »
The Cowboys will therefore have to look for their fourth defensive coordinator in as many years, after Dan Quinn (2023), Mike Zimmer (2024) and Eberflus (2025).
The Cowboys’ history with Eberflus, who served as an assistant coach from 2011 to 2017, and his track record as a quality defensive coordinator led Brian Schottenheimer to recruit him, but things never worked out.
For the first time in franchise history, the Cowboys conceded more than 30 points per game (30.1), giving up a team-high 511 points. It was the seventh time since Jerry Jones took over as owner and general manager in 1989 that the Cowboys’ defense allowed 400 or more points, and each time it resulted in a change at the key position.
The Cowboys traded away top defensive player Micah Parsons the week before the season started and failed to provide consistent pressure on the quarterback. The Cowboys finished with 35 sacks, their lowest total since 2020.
