The Dallas Cowboys' defense has been a talking point for most of the season. Team owner/GM Jerry Jones went out of his way to make sure that defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus had everything he needed, going as far as to trade for Quinnen Williams and Logan Wilson.
That seemed to work like a charm in the first three games after the trade deadline. The Cowboys went back to their old ways after that impressive stretch, and their defensive shortcomings may cost them a trip to the playoffs. That's why it's not much of a surprise to hear that Jones might be done with Eberflus already, according to The Athletic's Jon Machota.
Jerry Jones Sounds Ready to Move on From Matt Eberflus
"Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on 1053 The Fan while talking about DC Matt Eberflus said he believes that coaches should adapt their scheme to the players. Jones doesn't think their talent is an issue," Machota wrote on X. "'I'm satisfied that the players we have fit what we're trying to do very well.'"
Notably, the controversial mogul didn't stop there. After watching the struggling J.J. McCarthy dominate them after being the most mocked player in the league this season, he believes that's a worrisome trend for his defense:
"It seems like we're always saying that about these QBs -- some of them that haven't played as well, but when they play us, they play better. I think that's telling," Jones said, per Joseph Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News.
Truth be told, it's easy to understand where Jones is coming from. The Cowboys' defense ranks 29th in total yards (391.1), 32nd in passing yards (254.8), 18th in rushing yards (120.1), and 31st in points (30.0). They also rank 30th in third-down conversion rate allowed at a whopping 46.5%.
Adding Williams to the mix worked wonders for their run defense, but there's only so much a single player can do. Eberflus has a proven track record of success as a defensive mind, but he has failed to make the necessary adjustments. Now, Jones doesn't trust him, and there's no coming back from that.
The Cowboys have had three defensive coordinators in the past three years. While having some continuity would be ideal, and Brian Schottenheimer has certainly earned the benefit of the doubt, it's become painfully evident that Matt Eberflus might not be the right guy to keep the reins of this defense.
Jones, clearly, is beginning to think the same thing.