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The Dallas Cowboys are expected to fire defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus after the season.
Changes are coming for the Dallas Cowboys, but it remains to be seen just how sweeping these moves will be in the coming months. The Philadelphia Eagles took away what little suspense existed about the Cowboys’ postseason chances.
Heading into the team’s Week 16 contest, Dallas knew that the franchise would not be making the NFL playoffs thanks to Philly’s win over the Washington Commanders. The Cowboys’ 34-17 blowout loss against the Los Angeles Chargers has prompted bigger questions about how Dallas will handle the offseason.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones corrected a media member who asserted that potentially firing defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus would be a difficult decision. Jones emphasized that no change would happen during the season but hinted that an eventual move is imminent.
“I might not couch it as difficult,” Jones told reporters on December 21, 2025, per DallasCowboys.com’s Patrik Walker. “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.”
Under Defensive Coordinator Matt Eberflus, the Cowboys Are Allowing the 2nd Most Points of Any NFL Team
Jones has previously defended Eberflus throughout the season, but it is growing hard for even the Cowboys owner to back the assistant amid the team’s defensive struggles. The Dallas defense briefly showed signs of life following the team’s trade deadline moves, headlined by the acquisition of star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.
Unfortunately, the Cowboys defensive improvement turned out to be short-lived. The Cowboys have given up a combined 112 points over the last three contests. Dallas is allowing 30.3 points per game, the second-worst unit in the entire NFL.
Jerry Jones: ‘You Point Your Finger Right Back at You, the Guy Who Hired Matt Eberflus’
Brian Schottenheimer’s first season as Cowboys head coach did not go as planned, but he does not appear to be on the hot seat. Things are not as safe for some of Schottenheimer’s assistants like Eberflus, but the bigger issue is that the Dallas roster has serious flaws.
“Ultimately, you point your finger right back at you, the guy who hired Matt Eberflus,” Jones added. “My point is, the whole thing is really easy to sit here and say, ‘You could have done things differently.’
“But that goes with the territory. And anytime you [are the one that makes] the ultimate decision, then you’ve got to look at that, and weigh it.”
Jones and company will be tasked to improve the team’s roster, not just make changes to the coaching staff this offseason. Even if the Cowboys hire a new defensive coordinator, the coach will need a revamped unit to be able to make any progress heading into 2026.
Jonathan Adams is a veteran sports contributor covering the NFL, NBA and golf for Heavy.com. His work has been prominently featured on NFL.com, Yahoo Sports, Pro Football Talk, CBS Sports, Bleacher Report and Sports Illustrated. More about Jonathan Adams
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