Dallas Cowboys Linked to Aggressive Coaching Change

The Dallas Cowboys continue to hold significant appeal for NFL coaches and players alike, maintaining their status as a premier destination even during periods of inconsistent performance. This allure positions the organization as a constant force capable of attracting top talent from other teams across the league.

On Sunday, Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk highlighted this reality, positioning Dallas as a leading option to lure Brian Flores away from his current role as defensive coordinator with the Minnesota Vikings.

Flores could potentially step in to revitalize a Cowboys defense that has faced considerable challenges throughout the 2025 season.

“Dallas seems to be destined to fire defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus after a disastrous reunion year,” Florio wrote. “(Never mind the fact that owner/GM Jerry Jones traded the defense’s best player 10 days before Week 1.) And the increasing chatter in league circles is that the Cowboys will be firmly in play for Flores.”

Flores first gained prominence while working with the New England Patriots alongside renowned head coach and defensive mastermind Bill Belichick. He later served as head coach for the Miami Dolphins from 2019 to 2021, compiling a 24-25 record, before spending a season in a defensive role with the Pittsburgh Steelers and then joining Minnesota prior to the 2023 season.

In his three years with the Vikings, Flores has built a strong reputation as one of the game’s premier defensive designers, especially known for his creative and aggressive blitz schemes that generate quarterback pressure and force turnovers in unpredictable fashion.

Florio noted earlier that Minnesota has been working to secure an extension for Flores, with efforts to finalize an agreement dating back to the previous offseason, although Flores chose to delay negotiations at that time.

“The Vikings wanted to do it before the 2025 regular season. Flores decided to wait,” Florio wrote. “If he was betting on himself, he won.”

Through much of the 2025 campaign entering Week 17, the Vikings rank ninth in scoring defense—tied with the Jacksonville Jaguars—by surrendering only 20.6 points per game. They perform even stronger in total yardage allowed, limiting opponents to 292.7 yards per outing, placing them sixth league-wide.

With Flores’ contract expiring, he could attract interest for head coaching vacancies this offseason, as several teams may seek new leadership. Up to eight openings are anticipated.

Should he not secure a head coaching position, options like staying in Minnesota or taking on the defensive coordinator job in Dallas appear as the most probable paths forward.

The Cowboys’ ongoing defensive struggles in 2025 have intensified speculation about changes, making Flores an intriguing target for a franchise known for its high-profile opportunities and resources.