The clock is ticking on Matt Eberflus' time in Dallas, and the clock might have already struck midnight.
As we enter week 16, for most fans of the Dallas Cowboys, the decision whether to bring back defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus in 2026 is an easy one.
You hear that? That's a resounding "no.''
With the Cowboys' defense being maybe the worst unit in football, allowing seven games of 30+ points so far despite the additions of DeMarvion Overshown, Quinnen Williams, Logan Wilson, Shavon Revel Jr., and others playing well during a three-week stretch?
That was just a sugar hit, not reality.
In a crushing loss against the Minnesota Vikings at home on Sunday night, the Cowboys' defense made J.J. McCarthy look like a Pro Bowler on national television, in an embarrassing performance of the sort we have become all too accustomed to this season.
With three games left in year, in the minds of most fans, Eberflus' time in Dallas has already run out.
But what about the man who hired him, Jerry Jones?
What does he need to see in this final stanza from his coach?
“The adjustments that we should be making (defensively) should be with these next three games in mind,” Jones said. “With three games left in the short time that we’ve got to play them in, then that will impact any adjustments that you make regarding coaching with the time frame we’re dealing with. That’s a legit question.”
Jerry is being rather forthcoming here.
His mind isn't made up on Eberflus yet; he's letting the final three games play out. But make no mistake: After spending the year endorsing his hire, Jerry can't be happy with what he's seen this season.
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For most, the die has already been cast, and the Cowboys need yet another defensive coordinator in 2026. Among the many reasons why? Well, given what we have seen from the defense as a whole, how you would spin it as a positive that Eberflus is back would require some serious Jerry Jones PR magic. ...
Because whatever he'd be selling as far as Eberflus stock, no Cowboys fan will be buying.
Three games. That's what Eberflus has to convince Jerry he deserves to stick around.
But for most, these next three games won't show anything, as the full body of work loudly shows Dallas needs a change.