Locked On Cowboys – Cowboys Squad Show: A HUGE Off-season is Already Underway

Episode Date: January 8, 2026
Hosts: Landon McCool, Marcus Mosher (with “Coach” Glenn “Stretch” Smith, moderated by Jeff Biggs)

Episode Overview

This episode marks a pivotal moment as the Dallas Cowboys begin what the hosts call "one of the most important off-seasons in years." With the season over and the team’s historically poor defensive performance still looming, the squad unpacks news of defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus’ firing, evaluates what’s next for the Cowboys’ coaching staff, roster, and draft strategy. In classic Locked On Cowboys fashion, the hosts blend expert analysis, behind-the-scenes insight, and a healthy dose of humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Swift Dismissal of Defensive Coordinator Matt Eberflus

(03:16-08:30)

• News Recap: Matt Eberflus is out as Cowboys' DC—a move anticipated for weeks but executed remarkably fast by Dallas standards.

• Marcus Mosher: “The shocking thing here is how fast it happened. Usually the Cowboys like to drag these things out a little bit.” (03:29)

• Reasons for Firing:

  • Historically bad numbers: The defense finished as the fourth-worst by DVOA since 1980.
  • Lack of adaptability or progress despite healthy periods.
  • Coaching philosophy out of step with what ownership and the front office now desire.

• Landon McCool: “It wasn’t just a bad defensive season. It was historically bad.” (04:42)

• Personnel Problems: It goes beyond coaching—there are undeniable talent gaps, especially up front and in the secondary.

2. Coaching Carousel & Jerry Jones’ Influence

(09:15-15:27)

• Jerry Jones’ presser surprised everyone, notably by crediting Brian Schottenheimer for input on the Eberflus hire—a shock even to Schottenheimer himself.
  • “Shotty looked...as surprised as anybody in the audience.” – Landon McCool (09:52)
• What they want: Flexibility over scheme. No set requirement for former head coach/defensive play-caller experience.
  • Marcus: “Somebody...willing to adjust their scheme based on the personnel.” (11:45)
• Autonomy Matters: Coordinators should have control over hiring assistants. Previous flaws arose when coordinators didn’t have their “own guys.”
  • “You need to give the guys...the autonomy to hire their guys, to install their system. Otherwise, you’re going to have problems like you’ve had these last few years.” – Landon McCool (16:18)

3. The Next Defensive Coordinator: What Dallas Wants

(19:48-27:08)

• Trends suggest a likely pivot toward youth and energy.
  • Mosher: “The average age of NFC playoff DCs is 48. That includes Fangio (68). There are guys under 40.” (19:59)
• Names floated: Jim Leonhard (Broncos, passing game), Jonathan Gannon, Jeff Ulbrich, Raheem Morris, Brian Flores, Jim Schwartz.
• Landon & Marcus believe it’s time for Dallas to get back on the cutting edge, not just stick with “recycled” veteran coaches or ex-head coaches:
  • “For too long the Cowboys have been...on the wrong side of the innovation...gap.” – Landon McCool (21:14)
  • “These are all coaches who are fairly young. I would not be surprised if that's the direction they're going to.” – Marcus Mosher (23:18)

Memorable Exchange on Coaching Philosophy

• Coach “Stretch” Smith: “How many different ways can you align 11 guys?...It’s about a communication scenario—not being imaginative or innovative.” (24:07-25:02)
• Landon counters: Innovation is not just scheme, it’s teaching and adaptability—modern concepts require fresh minds.
• Marcus: “Zimmer’s a good example...It’s not necessarily an age thing...I just think they’re looking for fresher minds.” (26:07)

4. Is the Cowboys’ DC Job Attractive?

(43:00-47:56)

• Marcus Mosher raises the question: Despite the talent gaps, with picks and cap flexibility, is this a fast path to a head coach job?
• Coach Smith: “The appealing part of the Cowboys job is it is fixable...defensive coordinators want to get on the Autobahn to being a head coach.” (45:16)
• Fit depends on the candidate—some want a stepping stone, others (e.g., veterans like Schwartz) may just want to coach defense.
• “You’ve got to get the guy that you feel like fits right now...Do you want to be aggressive? Do you want to gamble?” – Coach Smith (47:56)

5. Roster Notes & Running Back Room

(57:27-61:38)

• Javonte Williams: Likely to return for a reasonable deal (1 year/$4M or maybe a short 2-3 year contract). The market for backs is soft, and Dallas likes his style and pass protection.
  • “I think there’s a rush for both sides to get this done because these free agent backs just don’t make a lot of money.” – Marcus Mosher (57:27)
• All agree: Need another back who can split the load—Williams wore down late in the year.
• Dismissal of internet rumors: “Somebody speculated J.K. Dobbins—No, no, no, no, don’t.” – Tyler Rowland (61:38)

6. Tyler Smith's Position – Guard vs. Tackle

(61:45-63:10)

• It’s official: Tyler Smith is the starting left guard, not tackle—a decision that involved listening to the player’s own preference and comfort.
  • “I wonder how that conversation went down… I bet you Tyler Smith said, ‘I am a guard. Let me be a guard.’” – Marcus Mosher (62:07)

7. Assessing Brian Schottenheimer’s First Year as Head Coach

(49:08-53:45)

• Mixed reviews; Schottenheimer gets a C+ or B- from the panel.
  • “There were times where he needed to be more aggressive, and times where he didn’t realize necessarily what team he had.” – Marcus Mosher (49:38)
• The learning curve was clear—delays in adjusting play calls to defensive struggles, questions about camp evaluation.
• Landon: “His strength is knowing his team… still excited about the future, but there’s room to grow.” (50:31)
• Coach Smith blunt as ever: “What the hell was he doing during training camp, scratching his ass?” (51:55)

8. Outlook for the Offseason and the Draft

(63:10-Episode End)

• The hosts are already prepping draft content, with the team holding the #12 pick.
• Expect coverage of free agency, DC search, and in-depth draft prep to begin immediately.
• “Draft season’s here, guys. You’ve asked for it, we’re on it.” – Landon McCool (63:41)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Eberflus’ firing:
  “Historically a bad defense that has problems that are multifaceted... you don't solve a multifaceted problem with just one move.” – Landon McCool (04:42)

• On Jerry Jones’ public misdirection:
  “Shotty looked... as surprised as anybody in the audience.” – Landon McCool (09:52)

• On candidate traits desired:
  “They just got to get some good guys in here that know what they're doing... it doesn't feel like these defensive backs had any idea what they were doing out there.” – Marcus Mosher (11:45)

• On the past hiring patterns:
  “You just put them first, second, short, and third and start hitting fungo.” – Coach Smith on string of ex-head coaches as DCs (14:10)

• On why the job is desirable:
  “The appealing part of the Cowboys job is it is fixable...They got a bunch of draft picks and a really good offense.” – Coach Smith (45:16)

• On innovation vs. communication:
  “It’s not about being imaginative or innovative, it’s about how do you communicate what you want done.” – Coach Smith (25:02)

  “Innovation has a lot to do with how you’re helping these...men ingest this information as you’re teaching them.” – Landon McCool (25:16)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:16 – Eberflus Firing: Reason, Impact, and What’s Next
• 09:39 – Jerry Jones' Comments & DC Hiring Process
• 11:45 & 19:48 – What Dallas Wants in Next DC
• 23:18 & 27:08 – Defining Innovation: Youth vs. Experience in NFL Coaching
• 43:00 – Is the DC Job Desirable? Implications for Candidates
• 57:27 – Javonte Williams Return & RB Depth Chart Needs
• 61:45 – Tyler Smith Position Decision
• 49:08 – Grading Schottenheimer’s First Year as HC
• 63:10 – Offseason & Draft Outlook Preview

Tone and Takeaways

• Candid and Unfiltered: The show is loaded with strong opinions, classic coaching toughness from Stretch, and a mix of dry and playful banter.
• Forward-Looking: The focus is squarely on solutions—who fits best as DC, how the Cowboys can optimize coaching and personnel, and what needs to be addressed in the draft and free agency.
• Fan-Centric: Listeners get detailed, knowledgeable coverage—always with a critical eye toward accountability and improvement.

In Summary

This Cowboys Squad Show kicks off the 2026 off-season by breaking down the fallout from the Eberflus firing, what’s needed on the defensive staff, and how Dallas can finally climb out of its defensive hole. The search for the next DC, the return of key players, and looming draft decisions are all up for passionate, in-depth discussion. If you want to be smarter about what’s next for America's Team, this episode delivers fresh insight—and a few good laughs—every step of the way.