Will the Cowboys Keep Their Defensive Coordinator?
The Dallas Cowboys' 2025 season has been a tale of two stories. On one side of the ball, the Cowboys have one of the best offenses in the league, while on the other, they have one of the most lackluster defenses in the league. Both playcallers have displayed a lot this season, and for better and for worse, they have given the front office and the fan base a reason to either rally behind them or go against them. While Brian Schottenheimer has swayed fans in his favor, Matt Eberflus, on the other hand, has raised questions about whether Dallas should keep him here.
During the process of hiring Brian Schottenheimer, they allowed him to bring in a staff of his choice, which is why Klayton Adams is the current offensive coordinator. Regarding the defensive coordinator, Eberflus was essentially a recommendation that was imposed on Schottenheimer. Not to say Schottenheimer has never backed him; he believes he’s capable of being a great coordinator and welcomed him, but Eberflus’s connection with the Jones family played a huge role in how Eberflus was able to get the job in Dallas. Now Eberflus is late in the season with Dallas, and many people believe he should be gone next season.
The Dallas defense was among the worst in the league before the trade that landed them Quinnen Williams. Despite showing promise in games against Philadelphia and Kansas City, they once again faltered against the Lions. A big critique in the Lions game was the lack of pressure the Dallas defensive front was able to generate against the Lions, as their offense was able to flow smoothly all game long. Dallas blitzed Jared Goff three times and generated four pressures on his first six dropbacks. However, they managed to create only four pressures on his next 29 dropbacks, with just five additional blitzes. The decision to stray from strategies that previously brought success in the most critical game of the season could provide justification for dismissing Eberflus. Now the question is, will the Cowboys get rid of him next season? Although disappointing, Dallas often keeps coaches long-term despite a lack of success, so it is likely he will stay. However, given the significant turnover at the defensive coordinator position, Dallas may decide to retain Eberflus and give him a full season to work with the new players he hasn’t had before. It could still be possible that the Cowboys head in a different direction at the position, but his history and Dallas's history could keep him there for another season.
