Losing to J.J. McCarthy is one thing, but getting absolutely worked by J.J. McCarthy is a firable offense. That's where Dallas Cowboys fans are at with defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus after the team allowed 34 points in a loss to the Minnesota Vikings on a national stage.
Jerry Jones seems to be losing conviction in Eberflus, whom he hired in the offseason to replace former DC Mike Zimmer. It might take Brian Schottenheimer saying he wants a change for Jones to break out the kill switch, but it at least sounds like Jones will reevaluate Eberflus after the season. That is a big step compared to three weeks ago when it seemed like a lock that Eberflus would be back.
Regardless, with Eberflus’ job security in question, it’s time to start speculating about potential replacements. While availability remains uncertain, the idea of Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles taking over the defense, if Tampa Bay moves on, is highly enticing.
Cowboys could hire Todd Bowles to replace Matt Eberflus if he's fired by the Buccaneers
Bowles may have run his course with the Buccaneers, who started 6-2 and looked to be running away with the NFC South. However, they have lost five of their last six games, including back-to-back losses to the Saints and Falcons, to keep the Panthers alive in the division.
Injuries have undoubtedly played a big role in Tampa Bay's collapse, and Bowles has led the Bucs to three straight NFC South titles. They haven't had that kind of stability since the early 2000s. An argument can be made, though, that former HC Bruce Arians laid that foundation.
Even if the Buccaneers ended up sneaking into the playoffs, a first-round exit could seal Bowles' fate, given how the regular season has unraveled. Cowboys fans should be rooting for that for selfish reasons, as Bowles made his bones in the NFL as a defensive coordinator.
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Eberflus has set the bar extremely low, but Bowles would be a significant upgrade. Teams with DC vacancies would be lining up to hire him if he gets let go by Tampa Bay.
What really sets Bowles apart from Eberflus is his ability -- and willingness -- to make adjustments if a predetermined game plan goes awry.
Eberflus is the inverse of that; he'll find success early in games sending pressure, only to abandon it and rush four for the rest of the game. Schematically speaking, Eberflus is one of the more stubborn defensive minds in the NFL. He doesn't adjust, nor does he cater to what his players do best.
Hiring Bowles would require the Buccaneers' collapse to continue, but they look broken beyond repair, and Bowles' NSFW rant after their loss to Atlanta suggests he might want a change of scenery as well.
But it would be a slam dunk pivot by Jones if he were able to pull it off.