> At a Glance
> – Cowboys release Matt Eberflus after defense allows 500+ points
> – First time in franchise history defense surrendered 500+ points
> – Fourth defensive coordinator change in four seasons
> – Why it matters: America’s Team misses playoffs again, faces major rebuild
The Dallas Cowboys have fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus following a historically poor defensive season that saw the team miss the playoffs for the second straight year.
Historic Defensive Collapse
The Cowboys defense allowed more than 500 points during the season, marking the first time in franchise history the team surrendered that many points. The defensive struggles directly contributed to Dallas finishing outside the playoffs despite high expectations.
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones confirmed the organization had been evaluating the defensive staff for weeks before making the decision. The move comes after Sunday’s loss to the New York Giants sealed another disappointing season.
Coaching Carousel Continues
Eberflus’s dismissal continues an alarming trend in Dallas:
- Fourth defensive coordinator in four seasons
- Second consecutive season missing playoffs
- Defense statistically ranked among worst in franchise history
Eberflus accepted responsibility for the defensive failures before the season finale against the Giants.
> “I mean, I’m the defensive coordinator. The accountability is with me.”
Future Changes Coming
Jones indicated more coaching changes could follow, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. He emphasized the need to evaluate the entire coaching staff and make corrections to avoid repeating this season’s failures.
The Cowboys face a critical offseason as they attempt to rebuild a defense that became a liability rather than an asset during the 2023 campaign.
Key Takeaways
- Cowboys defense allowed franchise-record points under Eberflus
- Fourth defensive coordinator change in four years shows instability
- Team misses playoffs for second consecutive season
- Additional coaching changes expected this offseason
Dallas must now search for their fourth defensive coordinator since 2021 while trying to fix a unit that became historically ineffective.
