The Dallas Cowboys initially wanted to take nearly two weeks to evaluate Matt Eberflus' first season as defensive coordinator. When the dust settled, it only took 48 hours after Sunday's finale to hand Eberflus his walking papers.
It stands to reason that Brian Schottenheimer intervened and expedited the process. While the Joneses like to drag their feet with these decisions, Schottenheimer understands the importance of starting the interview process as soon as possible. Having said that, it probably isn't a coincidence that Eberflus was fired shortly after the Cowboys conducted their player exit interviews.
Several players have conveyed their approval of the decision on social media, but Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram got to chat with Dante Fowler on Monday. Fowler's synopsis of the defense echoes what Cowboys fans screamed all season.
“We got the guys, we just need to put them in the best position to make plays," Fowler said. "That’s it. I don’t care how good you think your scheme is, you just got to evolve around your players, take your players’ opinions on some things, and try to put your players in the best position to make plays.”
Dante Fowler clearly wasn't a fan of Cowboys DC Matt Eberflus
Let's make one thing clear: the Cowboys do not have the guys. They had enough good players in 2025 to be a respectable defense, but nobody would mistake them for the Doomsday Defense. However, it's no secret that Eberflus did not put his players in a position to succeed.
Eberflus tried to fit square pegs into round holes all season, and when he did make adjustments, he would abandon them after the first quarter. How many times did Dallas find success sending pressure early in games only for Eberflus to call off the dogs in the final three quarters?
It goes back to what Trevon Diggs said earlier in the season about playing too much zone. The Cowboys suffered communication breakdowns at a historic rate early on, and while things eventually leveled out, it was clear the players never fully understood the scheme. Eberflus should have taken it upon himself to tweak the system.
There is also something to be said about Eberflus continuing to play favorites -- like Kenneth Murray -- despite those players performing poorly. In Sunday's game against the Giants, for example, Murray was not subbed out after he committed an unnecessary roughness penalty for a late hit. Meanwhile, Solomon Thomas was pulled immediately after he jumped offside.
You have to think players were ready for Eberlfus to go for that reason alone, but not only for that reason.
Fowler’s remarks make it sound like Eberflus lost the locker room a long time ago. While Schottenheimer did his best to keep that reality under wraps, it was the expectation all along.