Jerry Jones Releases Statement On Coaching Staff Firing

Jerry Jones releases statement on Eberflus firing

Dallas finished the season ranked dead last in points and 30th in yards allowed, leaving Jones and the front office no choice but to go in a different direction for the fourth time in as many years.

"Having known Matt Eberflus for decades now, we have tremendous respect and appreciation for him as a coach and a person. After reviewing and discussing the results of our defensive performance this season, though, it was clear that change is needed," the Cowboys owner and GM said in a statement (via Jori Epstein). "This is the first step in that process, and we will continue that review as it applies to reaching our much higher expectations."

Eberflus followed-up Mike Zimmer (2024) and Dan Quinn (2023) and served as an assistant coach with the 'Boys from 2011-2017 working with the team's linebackers. But that familiarity wasn't enough to overcome the franchise giving up the most points (511) and PPG (30.1) in the organization's history.

Stephen A. Smith calls Cowboys' decision 'warranted'

Among those to first co-sign the Cowboys move was ESPN's Stephen A. Smith, who took to "First Take" with his reaction to Eberflus' firing.

"No surprise, deservedly so. I certainly don't want to be saying that... I don't want to celebrate a human being's firing. I don't want to do that. I will say, however, it was warranted," Smith began.

"You're giving up over 30 points a game, one of the worst defenses in all of the National Football League. Obviously, when you look at how high-powered their offense was, if you did a better job, then guess what? This team might've had a shot," the FT personality added.

"Now, what I will say, however, is it didn't help that you lost Micah Parsons right before the season started... Jerry Jones did not help the situation," Stephen A. admitted. "But in the end, it was apparent very, very early that this man did not need to be the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, so we can't say it was the wrong decision."

Dallas will attempt to pick up the pieces once again and find a new defensive mind that can help end their 30-year Super Bowl drought. Until then, they'll prepare for their 12th overall pick in the NFL Draft.