Cowboys' best shot at replacing Matt Eberflus is slipping away at the worst time

The clock appears to be ticking louder by the week for Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. For what feels like the 10th time this season, the Cowboys allowed an opponent to have their best offensive performance of the season Sunday against the LA Chargers.

The primetime loss to the Vikings seemed to be Jerry Jones' breaking point with Eberflus, and the 83-year-old has only gotten more critical of the defense with the media.

While Jones won't fire Eberflus before the end of the season, it's not hard to read between the lines. The Cowboys will most likely be looking for a new DC for the fourth year in a row.

Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles is viewed as an ideal replacement given his success in the league as a defensive coordinator. Tampa Bay is in the process of an epic collapse, and it's probably time for general manager Jason Licht to go in a different direction.

However, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times doesn't think it's a sure thing that Bowles gets handed his walking papers.

Cowboys might not be able to hire Todd Bowles to replace Matt Eberflus

"I would just say a change of HC may not be as guaranteed as some believe FWIW but still weeks away from that evaluation," Stroud shared on X.

Bowles should be at the top of the Cowboys’ wishlist if he gets fired. He’s an aggressive play-caller who disguises coverages and, most importantly, is capable of making in-game adjustments. Perhaps Eberflus’ biggest flaw is his inability to adjust on the fly when a game plan isn't working.

The hope is that Jerry Jones would get out of the way and let Brian Schottenheimer hire his own guy. It's unclear if Bowles would be on Schottenheimer's radar, but he checks Jones' all-important box of having a history with the team.

READ MORE: Jerry Jones' savage quote proves Cowboys DC Matt Eberflus is a dead man walking

Before getting his first opportunity as a defensive coordinator, Bowles spent three seasons with the Cowboys as their secondary coach from 2005 to 2007. He has coached in the NFL in some capacity for 25 years, including nine as a DC and a head coach. He may have worn out his welcome with the Buccaneers, but that takes nothing away from his ability to scheme up a defense.

The Bucs have dropped three straight games, including 6 of 8, after starting the year 5-1. They are on the verge of choking away the NFC South. Even if they rebound and win the division, they might have to pull the plug on Bowles. This has been an unprecedented collapse. Cowboys fans should be rooting for Tampa's tailspin to continue.

That doesn’t mean Bowles should be the only candidate Dallas considers. A few defensive-minded head coaches and coordinators could hit the market, and the college ranks feature a handful of intriguing names the Cowboys would be smart to keep tabs on.

But it's not a long list, and Bowles would be a significant upgrade.