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 where it gets controversial: while the defense has been abysmal—allowing 380 yards to the Giants and surrendering 30+ points in nine games—Cowboys owner Jerry Jones refuses to pin all the blame on defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. Is he right, or is this just damage control? Let’s dive in.
Jones made it clear before the game that Eberflus isn’t the sole culprit for the team’s defensive woes. “Don’t blame this all on [Matt Eberflus],” he stated. “This took five or six years to get here. It’s the result of years of philosophical mismatches and decisions that have piled up.” Jones argues that the issues run deeper than one coordinator, pointing to a history of unsatisfactory defense long before Eberflus arrived. For context, Eberflus is the third defensive coordinator in as many years, following a trend of instability that Jones admits has been problematic.
And this is the part most people miss: Jones believes the root of the problem lies in both the team’s coordinator choices and their defensive schemes. “You can’t address one without the other,” he explained. He even questioned past decisions, asking, ‘Why did we make some of the choices we did on coaches and personnel years ago? What were we expecting from those moves?’ This broader perspective, Jones insists, makes it unfair to single out Eberflus for criticism.
So, does this mean Eberflus could return in 2026? Jones was coy, saying, “I’m not saying anything along those lines,” but he didn’t rule it out either. Instead, he emphasized that the team’s offseason review will start immediately, focusing on a comprehensive evaluation of their defensive approach.
For comparison, the last coordinator to stick around for more than one season was Dan Quinn, whose defenses ranked 12th and 5th in yards allowed per game before he left for the Washington Commanders. Yet, Jones noted that even Quinn’s units struggled in the postseason, particularly against the run. “We were porous when we needed to stop the run,” Jones admitted. “But the point is, you can’t blame our current defensive struggles solely on Eberflus or the personnel. He wasn’t here when many of these decisions were made.”
Jones also highlighted the need for a long-term, holistic review of the team’s defensive strategy. “This isn’t something we can fix overnight,” he said. “It’s about looking at how we’ve approached defense over the years and making meaningful changes.” How long will this take? Jones wasn’t sure, but he hinted that it would align with their draft evaluations.
Here’s the real question: Will the Cowboys look at other teams for inspiration, or will they focus on defining their own defensive identity? Jones leaned toward the latter, stating, “We can do a better job of dictating what we want to be defensively. That’s what I’m going to lead us into.”
As the Cowboys head into what could be a pivotal offseason, Jones is optimistic. “We have the opportunity to make dramatic changes—maybe the most significant in a long time,” he said. But will it be enough to turn the defense around? Only time will tell.
What do you think? Is Jerry Jones right to spread the blame, or should Eberflus take more responsibility? And what changes would you like to see the Cowboys make this offseason? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
