It was a rough reality check for the Dallas Cowboys when they got stomped on their home field by the Green Bay Packers in January of 2024. After a dismal performance of making Jordan Love look like the next Peyton Manning, Cowboys fans called for Dan Quinn's job, and it didn't take long for Jerry Jones to turn back the clock to hire Mike Zimmer.
Zimmer's first tenure from 2000-2006 was mediocre to say the least. His most recent tenure of 2024 was enough for Jones to pull the plug to replace him with Matt Eberflus. The former head coach of the Chicago Bears already has an advantage that Zimmer never had. Familarity of his staffers.
Mickey Spagnola and Tommy Yarrish of the official Cowboys' website answer if Eberflus can avoid the awful defensive start that Zimmer was responsible for in 2024. Yarrish gives some optimism to Eberflus, thanks to one adjustment that Zimmer never bothered to think about.
"I think Eberflus has a lot of guys on this staff that are familiar with how he does thing and his system. That wasn't necessarily as much of the case with Mike Zimmer. Familiarity with the scheme and how Eberflus will call the defense in general helps avoid some of the things early from last season that Mike Zimmer regretted not doing earlier."
Matt Eberflus having former Bears coaches next to him is what the Cowboys needed
Of course, no one is trying to turn the Cowboys into the Bears, but Eberflus having guys that he knows well on the staff is a major difference from Zimmer. Dave Borgonzi, the linebackers coach, and Andre Curtis, the defensive passing game coordinator are faces that Eberflus knows well from his time with the Bears.
It almost seems like the hiring of Zimmer was too easy, as if it was rushed of some sort. Eberflus having his old Bears coaches along with Jack Sanborn at linebacker should make for defensive communication to look miles better.
Spagnola touched on the 2024 defense looked embarrassing at times last season, and what would help a ton is if they get their star cornerback ready to go as soon as possible, along with Mazi Smith stepping up in the run game.
"This defense will be challenged early, Matt Eberflus having sort out the cornerback position until Trevon Diggs is ready to play – at least he's off PUP. The other challenge will be the defensive tackle position, key to stopping the run."
There are still major question marks at stopping the run, and opposing offensive lines might run the Cowboys front seven out the stadium if they don't get right in that gray area.