Jerry Jones Says Cowboys' Decision on Matt Eberflus' Future Might Not Be 'Difficult'

The Dallas Cowboys' defense has been among the worst in the league this season, which has led to plenty of speculation about the future of defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.

After Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, team owner Jerry Jones didn't offer much about Eberflus' future, but he said whatever decision he makes won't be "difficult."

"I might not count it as difficult," Jones told reporters. "It's certainly something that we have to do. And that is to look at the entire year and look at what our options are, and how to correct it so we're not here at the same time next year. Now, that's not uncommon to evaluate at this time of the year — your entire coaching staff. And, obviously, the target is on him because of our statistical, as well as actual play on the defensive side of the ball, but that goes with it."

With the way the Cowboys' defense has looked this season, it's hard to imagine they will bring back Eberflus for a second season. Dallas came into Week 16 allowing the fourth-most yards per game (374.9) and the second-most points per game (30).

Sunday's performance was another rough one for the Cowboys' defense as they allowed 452 yards of offense and 34 points.

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It's fair to say that if it weren't for Dallas' defense, it would be on its way to the playoffs.

Quarterback Dak Prescott is having a tremendous season with the second-most passing yards (3,931) and the third-most touchdowns (26) in the NFL this year. He has one of the best wide receiver duos in the league in George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb.

The team leads the league in yards per game (396.9) and is putting up the fourth-most points per game (29.1).

While Jones hasn't made any indication about whether he will fire Eberflus, he did call his defensive coordinator out after last week's loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

"We let their quarterback have a big day on us," Jones said on 105.3 The Fan (h/t Jon Machota of The Athletic). "That wasn't the plan. We could have used more pressure, without question, at different times. The result was that we let him make some pretty significant plays out there, plus, he played pretty well. It seems like we're always saying that about these [opposing] quarterbacks. Some of them hadn't played as well, but when they play us, they play better. I think that's telling, too."

Eberflus, 55, is in his second stint with the Cowboys. He was the linebackers coach from 2011 to 2017, before serving as the defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts and the head coach of the Chicago Bears. He returned to Dallas this year after being fired by the Bears in 2024.