The Dallas Cowboys finished last season allowing the second-most points in the NFL. Despite significant changes to both personnel and the coaching staff, Dallas finds itself in the same spot in points allowed after six weeks of play in the 2025 season.
If anything, the Cowboys have regressed in total yards allowed, ranking near the bottom of the league. Obviously, there are plenty of reasons for the defensive struggles, but it all starts with Jerry Jones and his decisions. At least, he was able to acknowledge that same reality that fans in Dallas know too well.
During his appearance on 105.3 The Fan on Friday, Jones was asked how good he thinks the defense can be this season, per DallasCowboys.com insider Tommy Yarrish. Jones responded with a rare moment of accountability, "We've had three different defensive coordinators over the last three years. That's my fault. That really is. You knew you were going to have somebody different than the last two years when we hired Flus."
Jerry Jones Accepts Blame for Cowboys' Defensive Struggles
The problem with this statement is that Jones is blaming the issues on the lack of consistency at that spot on the coaching staff over the last three years, rather than the hire itself. Eberflus didn't have a top-ten defense once in his three years as the Bears' head coach. During his time in Indianapolis as the Colts' defensive coordinator, his defenses were mostly middle-of-the-pack, with his best season coming in 2020, when they finished eighth in yards and tenth in points allowed.
Conveniently, Jones also didn't mention his decision to trade the best pass rusher in the league a week before the start of the regular season. Similarly, there was no mention of how the talent on the defensive side of the ball has eroded over the years after allowing good players like DeMarcus Lawrence, Stephon Gilmore, and Dorance Armstrong Jr. to leave in free agency. All while missing the mark on draft picks like Mazi Smith.
Jones taking responsibility for his mistakes is certainly positive, but he returned to his usual shtick immediately thereafter. Few owners are as good as Jones in selling a dream to his fanbase. He did exactly that when he continued with, "On the other hand, you look at any of these defenses, they get better and better as the season goes along. That's just part of it."
So far, the Cowboys' defense hasn't gotten better since the start of the season at all. Dallas has three more games, going up against the Commanders, Broncos, and Cardinals, to show signs of life on defense before its bye week. Otherwise, Jones will be proven wrong once again.