What Jerry Jones had to say about firing Matt Eberflus

The historic breakdown of the defense forced the Dallas Cowboys to make immediate changes after a disappointing 7-9-1 finish to the 2025 season.Organization officially fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus on Tuesday after the unit allowed a campaign-high 511 points.

The latest blow came during a 34-17 loss to the New York Giants, where the defense surrendered more than 30 points for a season average – never before in Dallas history.

Despite the midseason acquisition of Quinen Williams to bolster the interior, the team struggled significantly in critical areas, finishing near the bottom of the league in red zone efficiency and pass defense.

The move marks the fourth time in as many years that the Cowboys will be looking for new leadership to oversee their defensive scheme.

Owner, President and CEO of the Cowboys Jerry Jones addressed the decision through a statement shared by Adam Schefter on X, formerly Twitter. While acknowledging the personal relationship he shares with former coordinator, Jones made it clear that the results on the field left the office with no other choice.

Regarding the coaching change, Jerry Jones said:

“We have known Matt Eberflus for decades and have the utmost respect and appreciation for him as a coach and a man. However, after reviewing and discussing the results of our defensive performance this season, it was clear that a change was needed. This is the first step in that process, and we will continue that review to reach our much higher expectations.”

The defensive struggles overshadowed a productive season from the offense, led by Dak Prescott, who finished the year with 4,552 passing yards and 30 touchdowns.

Despite these individual milestones, the head coach Brian Schottenheimer expressed his deep frustration at missing the postseason for the second year in a row. Schottenheimer took full responsibility for the team’s shortcomings and made a defiant pledge to the fan base, promising that the staff would work tirelessly to identify the root causes of their inconsistency.

He emphasized that major adjustments are coming as the organization enters a critical offseason.

With the search for a new defensive coordinator already underway, the Cowboys are prioritizing a complete reset to ensure the 2026 season meets the franchise’s high standards.