Cowboys fire Matt Eberflus after one season

Dallas Cowboys off-season plans | Just Wondering

This week, Norm Hitzges is just wondering about the Dallas Cowboys' plans for the off season. There are some critical decisions that have to be made.

DALLAS - The Dallas Cowboys have fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus after one season with the team.

The backstory:

The Dallas defense gave up over 30 points per game in 2025 and over 500 on the season, which ranks among the worst in the 66-year history of the franchise.

Eberflus returned to the team in 2025 after stints in Indianapolis as defensive coordinator and Chicago as head coach. He was previously a linebackers coach in Dallas under Jason Garrett.

LANDOVER, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 25: Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus of the Dallas Cowboys looks on before the NFL game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on December 25, 2025 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty

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What they're saying:

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones hinted at changes to come after the team’s defensive struggles earlier in the season.

 "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," Jones said. "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."

Jones released a statement Tuesday on the move.

"Having known Matt Eberflus for decades now, we have tremendous respect and appreciation for him as a coach and a person. After reviewing and discussing the results of our defensive performance this season, though, it was clear that change is needed," Jones said. "This is the first step in that process, and we will continue that review as it applies to reaching our much higher expectations."

What's next:

The team now seeks their fourth defensive coordinator in four years. Eberflus’ stint followed Dan Quinn and Mike Zimmer in 2023 and 2024, respectively. 

FOX 4’s Mike Doocy suggests Vikings DC Brian Flores, recently fired head coaches Raheem Morris and Jonathan Gannon, former Browns DC Jim Schwartz, and former Cowboys assistant Al Harris as candidates to replace Eberflus.