DC Matt Eberflus is not going to like what Dallas Cowboys’ Jerry Jones just admitted heading into Week 16
The Dallas Cowboys general manager is changing his tone when it comes to Matt Eberflus’ job security.
It’s Week 16 and the Dallas Cowboys’ defense remains one of the worst in the entire NFL.
What does that mean for the future of defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus? Based on comments made by Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones, all options are on the table. And how Eberflus closes out the season will factor into the team’s decision at the end of the season.
Jerry Jones admits Eberflus’ future is being evaluated
Right after the loss to the Vikings, Jones suggested the last three games of the season would be considered when evaluating potential changes to the coaching staff. On Tuesday, he doubled down on it while leaving no room for interpretation. When asked if Eberflus’ job would hinge on how the team finishes over the last three weeks of the season, Jones didn’t flinch.
“I think that should be a big criteria because these three games are vital to us, they’re important to us,” Jones said during an interview on 105.3 The Fan. “Yes, how we play over these next few weeks will be a big criteria because I think really, we’re at one of the peaks of our healthiness right now.”
Jones could have taken the easy way out but instead chose to put his defensive coordinator on blast. The defense is healthy. No more excuses. Being under evaluation at the end of the first year on the job is far from ideal.
Additionally, throughout the interview, Jones made it clear he thought it was the defense, not the offense, that was a problem for the Cowboys on Sunday and throughout the entire season.
“Seems like we’re always saying this about these quarterbacks, some of them that haven’t played this well but when they play us, they play better,” Jones said. “I think that’s telling, too. Candidly, to be very upfront about it, I think if we could have gotten this defense in better shape earlier, we could be sitting here with the kind of wins that would have not had us in this tight spot.”
Jones’ comments show a change in tone
Despite Eberflus’ struggles early in the year, Jones sent a message after the trade deadline that suggested the Cowboys defensive coordinator was safe. After acquiring DT Quinnen Williams and LB Logan Wilson, Jones spoke about his one regret over the last few years being that he didn’t have continuity at defensive coordinator.
“I’ve errored over the last three years with the changing of defensive coordinators or defensive philosophies or the adjustments there,” Jones said during an interview in November. “When I look back, if I see one thing that I had to do over again, I would’ve tried to not change out our coordinator every year over the last three years. Continuity, I know better.”
Firing Eberflus and replacing him with someone else would give the Cowboys their fourth defensive coordinator in four years, suggesting Jones would be opposed to moving on from him. However, his latest message shows he’s open to making a move.
What’s next?
For Eberflus, the Cowboys’ final stretch should provide some relief. Keyword: Should.
Dallas is set to face Justin Herbert, one of the league’s best quarterbacks. However, the Los Angeles Chargers’ offensive line is seriously banged up. The Cowboys then get the Marcus Mariota-led Washington Commanders with Jayden Daniels out for the year, and the up-and-down New York Giants.
As Jones said Tuesday, teams’ struggles seem to matter very little when they face the Cowboys. Can Eberflus change that? He needs to if he wants to stick around.
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