Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Kenny Clark against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Cowboys' Kenny Clark sounds off on struggling Dallas defense

Originally posted on Dallas Cowboys on SI
By Josh Sanchez | Last updated Oct 16, 2025 10:36 AM ET

The Dallas Cowboys' defense has been dreadful through the first six weeks of the NFL season, ranking at the bottom of the league in every major stat category.

Frustrations have been building with the defense's performance, with both the level of play and scheme responsible for its failures.

One player who is ready for everyone to take accountability is Kenny Clark, who joined the team at the end of the preseason as part of the trade with the Green Bay Packers that included Micah Parsons.

Clark recently spoke to the media about the team's defensive struggles and the message that defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus had for the unit.

Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

"Just the details of the defense," Clark said, via DallasCowboys.com. "We went through everything. Holding each other accountable and focusing on the details of what we need to do. Everybody’s just looking in the mirror and figuring that stuff out.

"Anytime somebody’s running the ball like that, it’s definitely frustrating. We’re all competitors and want to put our best foot out there. So anytime something like that happens, it’s frustrating."

The Cowboys' offense has been playing at an elite level, but unless they are perfect, it is difficult to win when the defense isn't getting a stop.

Clark knows that everyone needs to step up their game.

Leveling up

Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Six weeks into the season, it is a tough pill to swallow that the team is still ironing out the details with Eberflus' scheme. Like Cowboys fans and NFL analysts, Clark isn't sure why things aren't clicking for the defense, but he knows that it needs to change fast.

If the defense can get it together, the Cowboys could suddenly become a very dangerous team.

“Honestly, I’m not sure. That’s a good question. That’s the biggest question of them all,” Clark said. “It’s just us holding each other accountable and just getting to the bottom of that. We can’t go all year playing defense like this, especially with how our offense is playing. If we can match that, we’re going to be a really tough team to beat.”

The next opportunity for the Cowboys to show improvement comes in Week 7 against their former defensive coordinator, Dan Quinn, when the Washington Commanders come to town. Kickoff is set for 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX.