Matt Eberflus on the Hot Seat Again - This Time in Dallas
It wasn’t that long ago Matt Eberflus was patrolling the sidelines in Chicago, trying to steer the Bears out of the NFL’s basement. Now, just months removed from that chapter, he’s facing familiar heat - only this time, it’s deep in the heart of Texas. The Dallas Cowboys’ defense is reeling, and Eberflus, now the team’s defensive coordinator, is squarely in the crosshairs.
And when Jerry Jones speaks, everyone listens. The Cowboys’ owner didn’t mince words during a recent appearance on 105.3 The Fan, where he openly questioned whether the coaching staff - not the roster - is to blame for the team’s defensive struggles.
“I don’t think the talent is the problem,” Jones said, before pointing out how opposing quarterbacks, including Minnesota rookie J.J. McCarthy, seem to find their groove against the Cowboys.
“It seems like we’re always saying that about these QBs… when they play us, they play better. I think that’s telling.”
That’s the kind of public comment that tends to echo through the walls of a franchise. And for Eberflus, it’s a familiar refrain - underperforming defense, frustrated fanbase, and now, a front office that appears to be losing patience.
Defensive Collapse Overshadowing Offensive Firepower
Let’s be clear: this isn’t a talent issue. Dallas is fielding the league’s top-ranked total offense (396.9 yards per game) and sits fourth in scoring (29.1 points per game).
If you're averaging nearly 30 points a game, you should be winning more than you're losing. But the defense - Eberflus’ domain - has been a liability all season.
Heading into Week 15, the Cowboys rank 29th in total defense (374.9 yards allowed per game), dead last in pass defense (254.8), and 31st in scoring defense (30 points allowed per game). That’s not just underperforming - that’s bottom-of-the-barrel production.
And it’s not a one-off problem either. Dallas has allowed 30 or more points in seven games this season, tied for the most in the NFL alongside the Raiders and Bengals.
That kind of defensive inconsistency makes it nearly impossible to stay competitive, no matter how explosive your offense is. And with the Cowboys’ playoff hopes all but extinguished, the defense has become the easy - and perhaps rightful - scapegoat.
A Familiar Criticism
Cowboys fans have been vocal in their frustration, and the criticism of Eberflus sounds eerily similar to what Bears fans were saying not too long ago. He’s been called rigid, slow to adapt, and unwilling to tweak his scheme to fit the personnel on the field. That’s a dangerous reputation to carry in today’s NFL, where flexibility and creativity are often the difference between a good coach and a fired one.
The core of the issue? Dallas has talent on defense.
There are playmakers on every level. But if the scheme isn’t putting them in position to succeed - or worse, actively holding them back - the blame circles back to the coaching staff.
And based on Jones’ comments, that’s exactly where the spotlight is now.
Meanwhile, in Chicago...
It’s hard to ignore the irony. The Bears, under new head coach Ben Johnson, have flipped the script.
Chicago has emerged as one of the league’s most consistent teams this season, thanks in large part to a culture shift that’s been both swift and effective. Bears fans, who endured three rocky seasons under Eberflus, are watching from afar - and likely feeling a sense of validation.
This isn’t about piling on Eberflus. Coaching in the NFL is a high-wire act, and not every stop is going to be a success.
But the numbers don’t lie. The Cowboys’ defense has been one of the worst units in football this season, and with the offense doing its part, it’s clear where the breakdown is happening.
Whether Dallas makes a change before the season ends or waits until the offseason, the writing is on the wall. Eberflus is running out of time - again.