FRISCO — On Thursday, for the third consecutive week, Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus didn’t issue a statement before taking questions from the media.
It’s expected that when the Cowboys conclude the 2025 regular season against the New York Giants on Sunday, Eberflus will work from the coach’s box for a third consecutive week.
Good thing we have some consistency heading into the New Year.
When the Cowboys’ season finishes, Eberflus’ job status will be determined. It’s unknown what will occur with Eberflus, who runs one of the worst defenses in the NFL and Cowboys history.
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Yes, the stats bear that out.
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With one game remaining, the Cowboys have allowed a franchise-record 477 points. This season, Eberflus’ unit has given up the third-most yards (6,029) in the league. Last year, when Mike Zimmer was the defensive coordinator, the Cowboys gave up 6,039 yards, the third-most in franchise history.
So more history could be made against Jaxon Dart and the Giants offense at MetLife Stadium.
These numbers are not all Eberflus’ fault, something owner and general manager Jerry Jones pointed out during a radio interview on 105.3 The Fan (KRLD-FM) this week.
Jones did approve the trade of Micah Parsons, the team’s best pass rusher. Somehow, Trevon Diggs, their best cornerback coming off a second consecutive year of knee surgeries, got on the field for Week 1, then complained about the defensive scheme. When he did play, he struggled.
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There is some belief Kenneth Murray is deserving of more playing time at middle linebacker despite his struggles. Logan Wilson, a man the Cowboys acquired at the trade deadline to help, just can’t get on the field for a variety of reasons. In the win over Washington on Christmas Day, it was a lack of team defensive snaps overall, as the reason Wilson didn’t play.
Eberflus mentioned how Wilson is still learning the defense, but you wonder how much he has to learn considering how Murray is playing.
Eberflus said Murray received some game balls this season. Based on the coach’s stats, Murray has a team-leading 85 tackles. If Murray finishes with under 100 total tackles, he would become the first linebacker in franchise history, stats were tracked on coaches film starting in 1977, to lead the team with fewer than 100 tackles.
All these issues, whether it’s the front office’s fault for trading Parsons, they did get Quinnen Williams, a talented defensive tackle in another trade, or Eberflus’ is up for debate.
Eberflus’ job is certainly on the line.
“My mindset has always been the same,” he said when asked about his job status. “It’s a one week at a time, one day at a time and you’re focusing on coaching your players, getting them in the best positions and teaching them the scheme. Whether it’s first or second down, we got third down today, but that’s always been my focus.”
Eberflus did take “ownership and accountability” for what’s gone wrong with the defense. But he also noted, “I don’t think I would do anything differently” within the defense other than work harder.
If the team does retain him, a complete overhaul is needed with the unit.
One of the biggest criticisms is the lack of flexibility within the defense, which Eberflus politely pushed back against.
“Yeah, flexibility is always going to be there, right,” he said. “You can flex down to the five down front or flex your coverages that work for your guys that are in there. And it’s important you do adjust.”
With a game remaining in this 2025 season, the New Year will begin with an accounting of the defensive coordinator’s job again.
It would mark the third consecutive year the Cowboys have done this.
This isn’t the type of consistency you expect.
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