The Dallas Cowboys have found themselves in a difficult position after their delay in offering a contract extension to former head coach Mike McCarthy, ultimately leading to a subpar hiring process.
This procrastination set the stage for the promotion of offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to the head coaching position. While Schottenheimer’s appointment is not solely defined by the inefficiencies of the process that preceded it, that context will inevitably shape how his debut as head coach is perceived.
By the time the Cowboys were ready to build their coaching staff, Schottenheimer was already behind schedule. Nonetheless, he garnered attention when it was revealed that he was considering hiring Matt Eberflus as the team’s new defensive coordinator. Eberflus, who was recently let go from his position as head coach of the Chicago Bears, became a candidate despite his tenure in Chicago ending on a sour note, marked by a series of mistakes, including a critical clock management blunder in a Thanksgiving game against the Detroit Lions. This failure, among others, had a significant impact on the Bears’ otherwise promising season. However, in his new role in Dallas, Eberflus will not be tasked with managing the clock or handling player discipline. Instead, his focus will be on making defensive play calls and transforming the Cowboys’ talented defense into a cohesive unit.
There are reasons to be optimistic about Eberflus’ potential success in Dallas. Before his stint in Chicago, he served as the defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts from 2018 to 2021. Under his leadership, the Colts’ defenses ranked in the top half of the league in terms of expected points added per play, with rankings of 9th, 17th, 9th, and 13th over his four years at the helm. Eberflus achieved this success without an abundance of superstar talent, especially on the edge. Unlike his predecessor, Dan Quinn, who often relied on blitzing to generate pressure, Eberflus preferred a more conservative approach. He focused on using stunts and sending four rushers while dropping back into zone coverage. This strategy carried over to his time in Chicago, where his defense played a bend-don’t-break style, heavily utilizing Cover 3 schemes that aligned with his identity as a disciple of the Tampa 2 defense.
This approach makes sense for a Dallas defense that boasts a highly athletic linebacker group and secondary, particularly with cornerbacks like DaRon Bland, who thrive in zone coverage and have a knack for creating turnovers. Eberflus’ defensive philosophy could maximize the potential of these players and create a formidable defensive unit.
Eberflus also brings familiarity with the Cowboys, having served as the team’s linebackers coach from 2011 to 2017. During his final two seasons in Dallas, he also took on the role of passing game coordinator. Eberflus left the Cowboys for Indianapolis not out of a desire to leave Dallas, but because he did not want to push Rod Marinelli out of his defensive coordinator position.
While the Cowboys are moving forward with Eberflus in mind, there is a significant issue that still needs to be addressed: compliance with the Rooney Rule. This rule mandates that teams interview minority candidates for coaching positions, and some have raised concerns that the Cowboys’ recent interview with Robert Saleh may have been intended to fulfill the requirement for both the head coaching and defensive coordinator positions. The Cowboys must resolve this matter before making any official announcement regarding Eberflus’ hire.
It’s also important to note that Eberflus’ time with the Cowboys was marked by a blocked interview with the San Francisco 49ers, which caused some dissatisfaction on his part. Prior to his time in Dallas, Eberflus gained experience coaching with the Cleveland Browns, Missouri, and Toledo, all of which contributed to his development as a coach and should not be overlooked due to his less-than-successful tenure in Chicago.
As of now, it is unclear how many of Eberflus’ former defensive staff members from Chicago will join him in Dallas. However, the Cowboys will benefit from having a defensive coordinator with experience as a head coach, especially as Schottenheimer embarks on his own journey into uncharted territory as the team’s new head coach. Eberflus’ insights and experience will provide valuable support to Schottenheimer as they work together to build a strong coaching staff and a successful season for the Cowboys.
