The Dallas Cowboys have fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus after just one season with the team, and now Dallas will search for their fourth defensive coordinator in four seasons. ESPN Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter was the first to report the news.
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
Eberflus took over the Cowboys defense in 2025, after Mike Zimmer's defense ended up in the middle of the pack in 2024. However, after trading away defensive end Micah Parsons before the beginning of the season, Dallas's defensive rating plummeted both defending the pass and the rush.
Dallas recorded just six interceptions in 2025 which was tied for the second lowest in the league with. the Tennessee Titans and the San Francisco 49ers. The only team with less interceptions than the Cowboys, Titans and 49ers were the New York Jets, who failed to record a single pick.
On top of that, the Cowboys allowed the second most yards per passing attempt (8.1) in the league. Dallas was tied with the Washington Commanders, and only the Titans allowed more passing yards per attempt (8.2). Dallas allowed 35 passing touchdowns which is the second worst in the league behind the Jets (36), and allowed the most passing plays of 40-plus yards (14).
Dallas' rushing defense was tied with the Buffalo Bills for allowing the most rushing touchdowns in 2025 (24). It also allowed the second most rushing first downs in the league (136), only behind the Minnesota vikings (144).
The Cowboys have now gone through Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn ('21-'23), Zimmer ('24) and Eberflus ('25) in the past three seasons, and now will look to lock down a coordinator that can turn their defensive efficiency around.
