Total Pro Sports
The Dallas Cowboys are facing another tough offseason. They are likely to miss the playoffs for a second year in a row, and frustration is now becoming public. This time, it came from executive vice president Stephen Jones.
Stephen Jones spoke on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas. He made it clear that the team is unhappy with the defense. They also feel the unit lacks direction. Because of that, defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus could be on his way out soon.
Jerry Jones has already hinted at changes over the past few weeks, and Stephen’s comments backed that up. Around the league, Brian Flores’ strong work as the Vikings’ defensive coordinator has made him a popular name. If he’s open to a move, teams will line up.
All signs point to one thing. The Cowboys are preparing to make a proper defensive changes before next season.
Stephen Jones didn’t hide his concern. He said the Cowboys never figured out who they were on defense this season. Also pointing out several failures and made it clear the problem must be fixed, no matter who ends up in charge.
“We got to get an identity on the defensive side of the football,” Jones said on the radio show. “I don’t think we ever established what we were as a defense.”
He explained what went wrong. The defense didn’t force turnovers. It gave up too many big plays. It was never consistent from week to week.
Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones on @1053thefan: “We got to get an identity on the defensive side of the football. I don’t think we ever established what we were as a defense. We really weren’t a team that created turnovers. We didn’t get the ball. We gave up a lot of explosive (plays).…
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) January 2, 2026
“Whether it’s Coach Eberflus or whoever it is, we have to create an identity,” Jones said. “We’ll go all in.”
His comments matched what Jerry Jones said earlier. The owner also talked about urgency and the need for a clear direction. The timing matters. With one game left, the Cowboys are out of the playoff race. Their defense ranks last in the NFL in points allowed and just gave up the most points in team history.
Matt Eberflus joined the Cowboys before the season as one of Brian Schottenheimer’s first hires. He previously coached the Bears for three years and built a strong defensive reputation with the Colts. He also worked with the Cowboys earlier in his career.
But this season fell apart quickly. The Cowboys lost close games. The defense couldn’t protect leads. The results never improved.
Stephen Jones praised Schottenheimer’s leadership and energy. He said the offense showed a clear identity. The defense and other areas did not.
Now, it’s not about whether change is coming. It’s about when. The Cowboys look ready to move on and face a bigger task ahead. They must find the...
