Matt Eberflus is a problem, but his firing won’t fix the issue

It has only been three games into the season, and the job of Matt Eberflus is being called into question, and first, before we begin, I was not a fan of the hiring, and I won’t be a fan until something changes.

With that said, looking at just how bad the defense has played after you traded your best defender just a week before the season, do we honestly think firing him will fix the issue?

I think other steps should be taken before they just let him go, because, well again, it has only been three games.

Historically Bad Pace

The Dallas Cowboys’ defense is off to one of the worst starts in franchise history. Through three games, they have surrendered 1,193 total yards and 92 points.

That ranks as the second-worst three-game start in franchise history in terms of yardage allowed, trailing only the 2020 season’s disastrous opening stretch when Dallas gave up 1,214 yards and 97 points.

Brian Schottenheimer: “We’re good enough to beat the Packers without (CeeDee Lamb and Tyler Booker).”

— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) September 24, 2025

In 1963, Dallas allowed 1,065 yards and 96 points through three games, highlighted by a game in which Jim Brown rushed for over 230 yards.

The 2000 Cowboys allowed 1,078 and 94 points, but still managed to create turnovers and keep games close.

Changes?

So let’s say the Cowboys give Eberflus three more games. What changes need to be made before they even get to the point where he gets fired?

“It wasn’t [fixed after Week 2],” Schottenheimer admitted. “That’s coaching, it starts with us, we’ve got to do a better job, simplify a few things, maybe.”

It might not be the most explicit or loudest of messages, but Schottenheimer saying the defense may need to be simplified three weeks into the season is a sign of how bad things are going for Eberflus’ unit.

I would like to see them stop using so much zone and play more man coverage, I can’t tell you how annoying it was to see all these dudes on the Bears just sitting in an area wide open.

The other issue is though, if they play man, Dallas has zero pass rush, making it harder for the corners to cover for that long.

Last week was the first time in the professional career of Caleb Williams that he was not sacked, not one single time.

I mean how bad is that?

It is starting to look like the Cowboys just do not have the talent on defense, and trading the one guy that teams had to game plan for just makes no sense.

We will see how this week goes, but after only scoring 10 points and LOSING to the Browns, the Packers offense will look like the best in football, just like the Giants and the Bears did the last two weeks.