The Dallas Cowboys have fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Cowboys will look to hire their fourth defensive coordinator in four seasons after going 7-9-1 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year.
The Cowboys hired Eberflus to replace Mike Zimmer after hiring former offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer as head coach. Eberfus will be tasked with fixing a defense that ranks 31st in points allowed, 28th in yards allowed and 29th in rushing yards allowed.
advertise
Before the season started, the Cowboys traded their best linebacker, Micah Parsons, to the Green Bay Packers. The Cowboys received two first-round picks and Kenny Clark to help stop the run.
Despite the defensive changes, the Cowboys have struggled defensively this season. On 105.3 The Fan, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said the team lacks identity on defense this season.
“We’ve got to find our niche on the defensive side of the football. I don’t think we’ve ever established our defensive scheme. We’re really not a turnover-creating team. We’re not getting the ball. We’re giving up a lot of explosive (offense). It feels like we’re (stopping) the run at times. But we’ve got a lot of work to do on that side of the ball. I think everybody knows that. We’re going to give it our all.”
“The biggest thing is we need to establish an identity on defense. I don’t think we’ve established that this year. Whether it’s coach (Matt) Eberfus or whoever it is, we have to create an identity.
“I think everyone would say coach (Brian) Schottenheimer has a lot of energy, he’s very authentic and has his own identity. We have to play that in all three phases. I think we did that in one phase this year (offense). I don’t know if we established that in the other two phases (defense, special teams).”
Dallas gives up 30.1 points per game, the most in the NFL, and ranks 30th in yards per game with 377. The Cowboys defense also didn’t create turnovers or run the ball consistently, which was a hallmark under former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.
They rank 30th in turnovers and 27th in sacks. This is despite the Cowboys acquiring defensive tackle Quinnen Williams at the trade deadline.
advertise
Eberflus finished the season in the dugout after walking off the sideline for the final three games. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he will evaluate Eberfus’ job over the final three games. The Cowboys continue to struggle, scoring more than 30 points in two of three games.
Eberfus served as the head coach of the Chicago Bears before becoming the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator last offseason and, after a stint as the Cowboys’ linebackers coach, served as the Indianapolis Colts’ defensive coordinator. He compiled a 14-32 record as head coach of the Bears.