Should the Cowboys consider moving on from Matt Eberflus?

Losing a Lion

The Cowboys’ defense was built around Micah Parsons, and losing him so late in the offseason has completely reshaped how this unit operates.

Parsons was not just the team’s best defender. He’s the kind of player who dictates game plans.

His ability to pressure quarterbacks, wreck blocking schemes, and close off scrambling lanes is irreplaceable.

Without him, Dallas has had to rely on role players who simply don’t command the same attention from opposing offenses.

Any defensive coordinator would struggle under these circumstances.

It’s hard to fairly judge Eberflus when the centerpiece of his defense isn’t on the field.

A Hobbled Secondary

On top of losing Parsons, the Cowboys’ secondary has been gutted.

DaRon Bland is sidelined, while Trevon Diggs is still working back from injury.

What was supposed to be one of the deepest position groups on the roster has suddenly become patchwork, forcing Eberflus to lean heavily on backups and even undrafted players.

While that might explain his commitment to zone coverage, limiting big plays and simplifying responsibilities, it has also made the defense painfully predictable.

Still, when your top corners are unavailable, it’s difficult to run an aggressive, man-heavy scheme.

Context matters, and Eberflus is dealing with one of the most depleted defensive backfields in the league.

Improved Run Defense

It hasn’t all been bad. One of the most glaring weaknesses of Cowboys defenses in recent years has been their inability to stop the run.

Under Eberflus, that issue seems to have quietly been corrected.

Even in back-to-back questionable performances, Dallas has bottled up opposing running backs, forcing offenses to beat them through the air.

That’s not nothing. It’s progress in an area that plagued the Cowboys for years. A foundation has been laid, and abandoning it just two games into the season might be short-sighted.

Let the Flus Loose?

The frustration with Eberflus is real and justified.

His refusal to adjust his zone-heavy scheme and his puzzling personnel decisions have raised eyebrows early on.

However, with injuries stripping the defense of its best playmakers and the silver lining of improved run defense, pulling the plug after only two games feels reactionary.

If the issues persist deeper into the season, then Schottenheimer may have no choice but to act.

For now, patience, however uneasy, may be the wiser move.