The Dallas Cowboys will miss the playoffs for the second consecutive season after finishing 7-9-1 in a competitive NFC East, but the team aims to turn things around quickly. Shortly after the regular season concluded, owner Jerry Jones and the company made a significant coaching decision that is expected to have a substantial impact on the team next season. Who got fired?
Cowboys Fire DC Matt Eberflus After Poor Defensive Season
The Cowboys fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus on Tuesday, following the defense’s worst season in franchise history. Surrendering a total of 511 points in 2025, the unit gave up an average of 30.1 per game.
Losing Micah Parsons before the season didn’t aid their efforts in recovering from being the 31st-ranked defense last season. Instead, they saw a new low after Eberflus took over from Mike Zimmer.
“Sources: Dallas Cowboys fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on X. “Cowboys now will be going on their fourth different defensive coordinator in four seasons.”
Sources: Dallas Cowboys fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. Cowboys now will be going on their fourth different defensive coordinator in four seasons. pic.twitter.com/KupzGun8HE
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 6, 2026
Dallas’s DC position has been a turnstile in recent years, with Eberflus, Zimmer, and Dan Quinn all passing through the role in a matter of three seasons.
Eberflus’s firing marks yet another downturn in his NFL career, following his dismissal as head coach of the Chicago Bears in 2024. His restart in Dallas also didn’t bear any fruit, and it remains to be seen where he’ll go next.
He was moving up, heading into his stint as the head coach in Chicago, having climbed his way through the Cleveland Browns, Cowboys, and Indianapolis Colts organizations.
However, a hopeful entrance was soon smashed, as his run with the Bears peaked at 7-10 in 2023. It was a downward spiral from there, ending with his 4-8 firing the following season.
The Cowboys picked him up again in an elevated role, running the defense, but he had nothing to show for it after the regular season concluded.
Potential Cowboys DC Candidates
There are several candidates with experience whom the Cowboys could opt for to replace Eberflus.
1) Jonathan Gannon — Former Arizona Cardinals Head Coach
The Arizona Cardinals might’ve fired Jonathan Gannon, but he has a deep background in NFL defenses, having served as Philadelphia Eagles DC when they won the NFC Championship in 2022.
2) Raheem Morris — Former Atlanta Falcons Head Coach
The Atlanta Falcons fired Raheem Morris after an 8-9 season, but the coach still has profound defensive insights, having served as DC on multiple NFL teams.
3) Jim Schwartz — Cleveland Browns DC
Jim Schwartz built a Super Bowl-caliber defense this season that featured defensive end Myles Garrett breaking the single-season sack record. Adding his expertise should serve the Cowboys well.
It’ll be interesting to see what direction Dallas takes regarding its DC role.
