Blogging The Boys
Matt Eberflus’ return to Dallas involved a variety of factors, including Dak Prescott.
The quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys is a gravitational figure. Whoever it may be, as long as there’s some success on the field, it opens up the door for commercials, public speaking events, and other avenues off the field.
When someone like Dak Prescott is the quarterback, he not only has the ability to attract players around him, but coaches enjoy being near him as well. Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus spoke with Ed Werder and Matt Mosley of The Doomsday Podcast and noted that returning to Dallas was a good fit for several reasons, with Prescott being one of them.
As Eberflus mentioned, he was in Dallas when they drafted Prescott as a rookie. He was the team’s linebackers coach then and spent just a few seasons with him before leaving to be the Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator.
The quarterback position is the linchpin of an entire franchise. Having the right player can simplify things overall, including on defense. Just look at the struggles with the New York Giants and Daniel Jones or Anthony Richardson and the Colts. When the quarterback is prone to costly turnovers, it keeps the defense on their heels for the entire game.
Eberflus knows that all too well after spending his two and a half seasons with the Bears in Chicago. Justin Fields was far from a perfect quarterback, and Caleb Williams brought a ton of promise as a rookie, but never showed the same confidence that made him the No. 1 overall pick. Not to mention the distractions that could have been happening behind the scenes.
The situation Eberflus returns to in Dallas is different from when he left. The veteran leaders he had on defense in 2016 are long gone. New leaders like Micah Parsons and Osa Odighizuwa have emerged, and the rookie class has a few promising players. It’s a canvas that may have some elements outlined, but having a quarterback like Prescott can help ease the pressure and allow Eberflus to focus on what he does best—shaping this defense in his image.
