The Dallas Cowboys' 2025 season ended on a sour note with a 34-17 loss to the New York Giants, capping off a disappointing 7-9-1 record in Brian Schottenheimer's debut year. But here's the real shocker: their defense has been one of the NFL's worst, and it’s not just Matt Eberflus’s fault—at least, not entirely. As the team gears up for their post-season review, all eyes are on the defensive struggles that have plagued them for years. But is it fair to pin the blame solely on the defensive coordinator? Cowboys owner and GM Jerry Jones doesn’t think so.
In a pregame statement, Jones emphasized that the team’s defensive woes are the result of years of cumulative decisions, not just Eberflus’s leadership. “This didn’t happen overnight,” Jones explained. “It’s a product of five or six years of philosophical shifts, coaching changes, and personnel moves. You can’t isolate the blame to one person.” This perspective raises a critical question: How much responsibility should Eberflus bear for a problem years in the making?
Eberflus is the third defensive coordinator in as many years, and Jones argues that the team’s defensive issues stem from both coordinator choices and scheme inconsistencies. “You can’t address one without the other,” Jones noted. He also pointed to decisions made three to five years ago, questioning the expectations set for coaches and how personnel was utilized. “It’s inaccurate to evaluate Eberflus in a vacuum,” Jones added. “This is a broader, systemic issue.”
And this is the part most people miss: Jones isn’t ruling out Eberflus’s return in 2026, but he’s also not committing to it. “We’re just getting started,” he said, emphasizing a comprehensive review process. The last coordinator to stay longer than a season was Dan Quinn, whose defenses ranked 12th and 5th in yards allowed per game before he left for the Washington Commanders. Yet, even Quinn’s units struggled in the postseason, particularly against the run. “We were porous when it mattered most,” Jones admitted.
Jones also highlighted that Eberflus wasn’t involved in many of the personnel decisions or scheme principles currently in place. “He wasn’t even here when a lot of this was set in motion,” Jones said. This raises another controversial point: Should a coordinator be held accountable for issues predating their tenure? Jones believes the team needs a “complete, long-term look” at their defensive approach, blending it with their draft evaluations.
As for how long this review will take, Jones isn’t sure. “It’s more about time constraints than how long we *should study,”* he admitted. But he’s clear about one thing: the Cowboys need to define their defensive identity, not just react to what other teams are doing. “We can dictate what we want to be,” Jones asserted.
This offseason could be a turning point for the franchise. Jones is optimistic about the potential for dramatic change, citing player availability and personnel moves as key factors. “We can make a difference like we haven’t in a long time,” he said. But the question remains: Will this be enough to fix a defense that’s been struggling for years?
What do you think? Is Jerry Jones right to spread the blame, or should Eberflus take more responsibility? And what changes would you make to turn the Cowboys’ defense around? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
