Brett's Cowboys Corner

After a 7-8-1 finish, the Cowboys carried the league’s worst defense in many statistical categories, including yards and points allowed. The Dallas Cowboys made the decision two days after their final game to fire defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus

The issues with the Cowboys’ defense were present from the very beginning, as we think back to the reincarnation of Seahawks Russell Wilson in week 2. Then we sat and watched career days for Caleb Williams, Bryce Young, Jacoby Brissett, and JJ McCarthy, to name a few.

Though the Joneses tried to be fair with Eberflus, trying to convince us that the last three games matter for his future with the team, specifically when he made the move from the field to the booth.

Matt Eberflus dug his own grave with three more poor performances and put the cherry on top when the Giants scored on 7 of 9 possessions.

The news broke early Tuesday morning, and by lunch, the Cowboys and Jerry Jones released the following statement–

Jerry Jones: “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. This is the first step in that process, and we will continue that review as it applies to reaching our much higher expectations.”

There were inside sources that claimed the review process would take 10-12 days, while the review still continues. But sometimes if your food is spoiled rotten that bad…you don’t need to spend much time researching if it’s still good to eat.

Eberflus is in charge of the defense, and of course, he is the one who has to bear the weight of their poor performance. And he took that responsibility last week when asked by the media, “I mean, I’m the defensive coordinator. … the accountability is with me.”

Fans will look at the personnel being poor, which is fair. Eberflus by no means was dealt a good hand. Trading away his all-pro player a week before the season starts does hurt. But as he said in August, we will “generate pressure” and they didn’t.

But he is not innocent on all personnel decisions, bringing in Jack Sanborn from his Bears defense…he couldn’t play. Also, having a say in trading for Kenneth Murray, who had issues all over the field but never lost a second of playing time.

The front office went out and traded for a new linebacker and Eberflus didn’t play him over his guy.

There were issues all year, and for the better of the 2026 Cowboys, sometimes its just time to change the guard.

Ironically, the most fitting way to describe the decision to move on from Matt Eberflus comes from a comment Eberflus made about the release of Trevon Diggs.

“Sometimes it just doesn’t work out.”