A Christmas Day win did little to change the reality facing the Cowboys. Jerry Jones is actively reassessing his defensive leadership, with his frustration no longer limited to poor results but tied to scheme choices and player usage. If league chatter is to go by, this evaluation has moved beyond internal review, with Dallas already zeroing in on a specific alternative that Matt Eberflus should be replaced with.

“The Cowboys could be lurking for Brian Flores as the replacement for Matt Eberflus.” ProFootballTalk posted on its X account.

If Eberflus does walk away, Flores would instantly emerge as an ideal fit in Dallas. His blitz-heavy, pressure-first scheme has transformed Minnesota into one of the league’s most disruptive defenses, ranking near the top in sacks, takeaways, and yards allowed per play. For a Cowboys team craving edge and identity on defense, Flores’ proven ability to flip struggling units and command league-wide respect makes him the kind of upgrade the Cowboys owner would not ignore. Also, this idea didn’t entirely emerge after a disappointing season for the Dallas defense.

It isn’t the first time Eberflus has worked with the Cowboys. He spent seven seasons on Jason Garrett’s staff with the team from 2011-2017, working mostly as a linebacker coach.

Later, he became the defensive passing game coordinator. He then joined the Colts as their defensive coordinator from 2018 to the 2021 season. In his first season with the Colts, he turned around one of the NFL’s worst defenses. Under his leadership, the Colts’ defensive unit ranked in the top 10 in scoring, run defense, and takeaways for two consecutive seasons. Dallas would be expecting the same while bringing him as the team’s DC.

If the Cowboys want Flores, they will likely have to compete with both the Vikings’ checkbook and other teams offering head coaching roles.

Flores has become one of the most sought-after coaches in the NFL due to his success in Minnesota. His contract with the Vikings is set to expire after this season, which would make him a free agent. The Vikings are aware of the interest from teams like the Cowboys and are currently working to sign him to an extension. However, Flores is also expected to be a top candidate for head coaching positions elsewhere, giving him several paths to choose from this offseason.

But, given that Jerry Jones is openly frustrated with his defensive coordinator, a change can be expected sooner than later. 

Jerry Jones appears to be dissatisfied with Matt Eberflus’s decisions 

The Cowboys’ owner has publicly criticized the team’s “scheme” and execution, specifically pointing out that the defense is failing to stop the run or put enough pressure on opposing quarterbacks. A major point of contention is the benching of linebacker Logan Wilson. 

The Cowboys traded for Wilson from the Cincinnati Bengals in November specifically because of his quick instincts and ability to read plays. Despite the effort and resources spent to get him, Wilson played zero snaps in the most recent game. While fans were ecstatic about the trade, Wilson’s lack of playing time meant their excitement did not translate to on-field reality. This could have been due to Eberflus’s lack of trust. 

“I don’t have an explanation for you for why Wilson wasn’t in there,” Jones said in an interview on 105.3 The Fan. “We planned to have him in there. He needs to be in there. He has good instincts. The reason we got him was because he reads the play quick and can basically be in his lane of responsibility and react quick. It’s critical that a linebacker have quick reacting (ability). He’s able to do that. That’s why we got him.”

Jones’s public call-out is a major red flag for Eberflus’ future with the team. It is very rare for an owner to go on the radio and question a coach’s specific personnel decisions, such as which players are getting playing time. Eberflus was recently moved from the sidelines to the coaching booth upstairs.

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Ultimately, the relationship between the organization and the coach seems to be reaching a breaking point. Jones has admitted that he is currently evaluating the defensive staff, and his recent comments suggest he is unhappy with how his trade acquisitions are being used. With the defense underperforming and the owner losing patience, it becomes extremely important for the Cowboys to perform well against the Giants for their final game of the season.