Matt Eberflus’ Time in Dallas Nearing the End as Defensive Woes Mount
It’s been a tough stretch for Matt Eberflus, and it looks like his time in Dallas is nearing its conclusion. The Cowboys are reportedly moving their defensive coordinator to the booth for the final three games of the season - a move that feels less like a strategic adjustment and more like the first step toward an inevitable parting of ways.
For Bears fans, this turn of events probably feels familiar. Eberflus' tenure in Chicago was defined by its struggles - a 14-32 record, a lack of in-game adjustments, and a defense that never quite found its identity.
Now, just one season after his departure, the Bears are not only in the playoff hunt but in control of their own destiny in the NFC North. That contrast speaks volumes.
Meanwhile in Dallas, the Cowboys - a team with postseason aspirations - are being held back by one of the league’s most underperforming defenses. The numbers tell the story: Dallas is allowing the most passing yards per game in the NFL and surrendering 30 points per contest.
That’s not just bad - that’s season-derailing. With the Eagles on the verge of clinching, the Cowboys’ playoff hopes are hanging by a thread, and the defense is a major reason why.
The decision to move Eberflus upstairs for the final stretch doesn’t come out of nowhere. ESPN’s Todd Archer reported the change, and it didn’t take long for speculation to surface that this is a prelude to a firing.
And frankly, it’s hard to argue with that line of thinking. The Cowboys needed answers on defense, and under Eberflus, they’ve only found more questions.
This isn’t how it was supposed to go for Eberflus. After building a strong resume with the Colts as defensive coordinator from 2018 to 2021, he was seen as a rising coaching talent.
That earned him the top job in Chicago, but the results never matched the promise. And now, with Dallas’ defense in freefall, it’s fair to wonder how much of that early success was sustainable - or even replicable - in the long run.
If the Cowboys do part ways with Eberflus after the season, it would mark another step backward in a career that’s trending in the wrong direction. A return to a defensive coordinator role elsewhere feels unlikely at this point.
A head coaching opportunity? Even more far-fetched.
What’s more realistic is a return to his roots - perhaps as a linebackers coach, the role where he first cut his teeth in the NFL with the Browns and later the Cowboys. There’s also the possibility of a move to the college ranks, where a fresh start might provide the reset he needs.
No matter what comes next, the writing is on the wall in Dallas. The Cowboys needed a defense that could support their playoff ambitions, and under Eberflus, they got the opposite.
For Chicago fans, this is déjà vu - a familiar pattern of missed adjustments and defensive breakdowns. And now, it looks like Dallas is ready to move on.