Dallas Cowboys fans were beside themselves when it was reported that the team would take "10 to 12 days" to evaluate defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. It turns out, all they needed was 48 hours after Sunday's regular-season finale to recognize that Eberflus couldn't come back.
The Cowboys have fired Matt Eberflus, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Tuesday. The move comes as little surprise after the worst defensive season in franchise history. Dallas allowed the most points it has ever surrendered in a single season and ranked no better than 30th in EPA per play, total EPA, or success rate.
Now, the question becomes who is up next? It won't be long before Jerry Jones and Brian Schottenheimer start the interview process.
However, in the immediate aftermath of the news, The Athletic's Dianna Russini has already linked one name to the vacancy: current Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
Cowboys already linked to Brian Flores after firing Matt Eberflus
The Cowboys have an opportunity here, as Flores is on an expiring contract. While Flores spoke highly of the Vikings franchise, he did not commit to returning to Minnesota when he was asked about returning as DC before the team's Week 18 game. The one roadblock for Dallas, though, is that Flores is garnering head coaching interest this hiring cycle.
There are growing rumblings connecting Brian Flores to the Las Vegas Raiders’ head coaching vacancy, with minority owner Tom Brady reportedly orchestrating a “Patriot Way” reunion that would install Flores as head coach and Brian Daboll as his offensive coordinator.
READ MORE: Cowboys' dream Matt Eberflus replacement just fell right into Jerry Jones' lap
It remains to be seen if Flores wants to be a head coach again. He last coached with the Miami Dolphins in 2021. He spent the last three years as the Vikings' defensive coordinator, turning them into one of the most vaunted units in the league.
The Vikings finished 2025 fifth in defensive EPA per play and success rate. It was nearly impossible to throw the ball against Flores' defense, as they ranked second in EPA per pass and passing touchdowns, and third in both average depth of target and sack rate, per Sumer Sports.
The Cowboys should stop at nothing to hire Brian Flores. If he isn’t chasing a head coaching job, there’s no reason to believe he wouldn’t accept a lateral move to another defensive coordinator role, provided Jerry Jones is willing to pay up.
Dallas would instantly become a Super Bowl contender in 2026 if it hires Flores. That should be enough to convince Jones to hand Flores a blank check to run the defense.