The Dallas Cowboys are facing significant challenges as they conclude a disappointing 2025 season, particularly on the defensive front. With the team holding a record of 7-8-1, they will not be advancing to the postseason. As defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus has come under fire for the team’s struggles, owner and general manager Jerry Jones publicly defended him just before the Cowboys’ regular season finale against the New York Giants.
Jones emphasized that the defensive issues plaguing the Cowboys are not solely a product of Eberflus’s tenure. According to Jones, the problems have been brewing for five to six years. “Don’t blame this all on Flus,” he stated, as reported 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 period from 2021 to 2023, the Cowboys enjoyed a more robust defense under former coordinator Dan Quinn. While acknowledging Quinn’s success, Jones pointed out that the team still faltered in critical moments during playoff games. “We were porous when we got in the playoffs,” he remarked. “We were porous when we had to buckle up and stop the run. Dan did a great job. We really wanted to keep Dan.”
Eberflus was appointed as defensive coordinator ahead of the 2025 season after being let go as head coach of the Chicago Bears. As the Cowboys reflect on the season, questions linger about the missed opportunities. The team boasts the league’s top offense but ranks a dismal 30th in defense.
The absence of All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons has undoubtedly impacted the Cowboys’ defensive performance. Parsons, who recorded 52.5 sacks in his four seasons with Dallas, sustained a torn ACL during the season and was unable to contribute significantly. Before his injury, Parsons had 12.5 sacks and 26 quarterback hits in just 14 games. In contrast, the current leading sack producers, James Houston and Jadeveon Clowney, managed only 5.5 sacks each.
In light of these challenges, Eberflus has accepted responsibility for the defense’s inability to limit opponents’ scoring. “Ownership and accountability is right with me,” he stated. “I’m the defensive coordinator. It’s always that. So, if there’s things that need to be improved, it falls on the coach and it falls on the assistant coaches and working with the players, making sure we’re doing the best we can to put them in position. I take full accountability for that.”
As the Cowboys prepare for their final game of the season, the organization faces a crucial decision regarding Eberflus’s future. NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that changes to the coaching staff are anticipated, with Eberflus being the focal point of these potential adjustments. The outcome of Sunday’s game could significantly influence the direction the Cowboys choose to take moving forward.
