Locked On Cowboys: Fired – Dallas Cowboys Move On From Matt Eberflus | Who Will Be Next Defensive Coordinator?

Date: January 7, 2026
Hosts: Marcus Mosher & Landon McCool
Podcast Network: Locked On Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This episode covers the Dallas Cowboys’ swift decision to fire defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus after a historically bad defensive season. Marcus and Landon dissect why the move happened, how the process unfolded, and explore early candidates for the job. They also analyze the reactions of Cowboys players and what kind of coordinator Dallas should look for next.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Immediate Reaction to Eberflus Firing

• Quick Action Praised: Both hosts agree that the Cowboys needed to make a quick decision, noting they've waited too long in the past and paid the price by missing top coaching candidates.

  • "I think we all knew what was going to happen and the only surprise was how fast it happened. And I think the Cowboys learned their lesson a little bit last year that you can't wait around for these, the coordinator guys..."
    — Marcus Mosher [03:37]

• Relief, Not Surprise: Landon didn't find the move shocking and was "relieved" rather than surprised.

  • "There was certainly a part of me that thought that this could have been dragged out for way too long...I had kind of been holding out hope that they would [move fast]."
    — Landon McCool [02:37]

2. Why Eberflus Had to Go: Historical Defensive Lowlights

• Statistical Catastrophe: Landon cites damning statistics from NFL analysts:

  • Gave up the most TDs in the NFL (59), more than the Jets (56).

  • Fourth worst defense in DVOA since 1978 — the worst in 25 years.

  • Only 12 turnovers all season; near-NFL historical lows.

  • Dead last in points allowed.

  • "It's so much worse than just the worst Cowboys defense in history...the numbers don't lie."
    — Landon McCool [04:29]

• No Development: Marcus emphasizes that no defensive player showed significant improvement; some regressed.

  • "Was there anybody on this team in 2024 that got better in 2025?...such a lack of development on defense..."
    — Marcus Mosher [06:21]

• Personnel Moves Failed: Even high-profile trades (Kenny Clark, Quinnen Williams) didn’t help stop the run.

  • "You brought him in because you thought he could help you stop the run...They were worse this year stopping the run than they were last year."
    — Marcus Mosher [09:14]

• No Adjustments: Landon says Eberflus showed “an inability to make adjustments”—kept “copying and pasting” the same game plan.

  • "Just felt like they were putting, you know, copying, pasting some boilerplate defensive plan week in and week out..."
    — Landon McCool [07:21]

3. Locker Room Response to Firing

• Player Social Media Lit Up: Immediate support from key defensive players—likes and comments on Quinnen Williams’ Instagram post celebrating "big things coming."
  • "It was everybody, it was Cooper, it was DeMarvion Overshown, Wanye Thomas, CeeDee Lamb, Osa, Logan Wilson...Basically everyone."
    — Landon McCool [14:11]
• Unified Relief: Both sides of the ball seemed to agree Eberflus was part of the problem.

4. What Kind of Coordinator Should Dallas Hire Next?

• Stability is Key: Marcus raises the question—do you chase top coordinators (who might leave for head coach jobs) or prioritize someone seeking stability?

  • "Is there a part of you that wants a guy that can come in, can establish a scheme that you can have for the next several years?"
    — Marcus Mosher [15:30]

• Balancing Scheme with Longevity: Landon acknowledges someone who wants to settle into a coordinator job can provide the scheme stability Dallas needs, citing Spagnuolo’s situation as a model.

  • "You have to be looking at the situation of all the turnover...it must increase the value of the opportunity to have some stability there..."
    — Landon McCool [16:39]

• System Fit: Discussion of how frequent coordinator changes led to misaligned personnel. Consistency helps with draft and development.

  • "We started to build like a prototype of what [Dan Quinn] wanted ... It makes it easier to draft and develop these guys."
    — Marcus Mosher [18:49]

• Scheme Complexity Consideration: Certain candidates (e.g., Brian Flores, Mike Zimmer) run unique and complex systems, which may hurt continuity if they leave after a year or two.

  • "If you hire Flores...you're probably resetting the entire thing again."
    — Marcus Mosher [18:49]

Defensive Coordinator Candidates: Initial Shortlist

[23:10 - 28:57]

Brian Flores

• Currently with the Vikings; known for aggressive, complex defenses.
• Pros: Creative, brings a new energy, would raise defensive floor.
• Cons: System installation takes time; hard to maintain continuity if he jumps to a head job.
  • "But if you can get Brian Flores in a situation where he's an extremely high paid defensive coordinator and he's happy doing that… it's in the best interest of the long term health of your team..."
    — Landon McCool [23:30]

Jim Schwartz

• Browns DC, long NFL track record (Eagles, Titans).
• Pros: Runs a 4-3 “Wide 9” system (easy to replicate/maintain), has constructed successful defenses, players love him, brings attitude.
• Cons: Could ascend to head coach role elsewhere.
  • "A lot more of a mixture of man and zone coverage...closer to Quinn type of defense...very interesting guy."
    — Landon McCool [25:09]

Raheem Morris

• Former Rams DC, recently fired by Falcons (as HC).
• Pros: Well respected, adaptable, evolved over his career, head coaching experience, possible interest in stable DC role.
  • "He's coordinated some of the best defenses of the last 10 or 15 years...has done a lot to kind of evolve over the years..."
    — Landon McCool [26:01]

Jeff Ulbrich

• Former Falcons DC, highly ranked defenses with both Falcons and Jets.
• Pros: Consistent success at multiple stops, good schematic fit, connection with current Cowboys staff (Whitecotton).
  • "This is somebody who has been like an elite defensive play caller. Honestly, I love some of the things Atlanta was doing this year..."
    — Marcus Mosher [27:13]

Wink Martindale

• Most recently with Michigan (DC), prior experience in NFC East.
• Pros: Aggressive, creative, brings “attacking mentality.”
• Cons: Heavy blitz tendencies can be a liability, could introduce new transition concerns.
  • "Not particularly my style. I mean, he'll blitz the crap out of you for no rhyme or reason. And that's a good thing and a bad thing..."
    — Marcus Mosher [28:14]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “This is the worst Cowboy defense in franchise history...So bad that it's more than just one person. There's obviously huge personnel problems here as well, but it had to start with the defensive coordinator.”
  — Landon McCool [04:29]

• “I want defensive coordinators who are problem solvers. When they've got injuries, they're able to mask those injuries...That never really happened at any point this season.”
  — Marcus Mosher [09:14]

• “You just didn’t see any kind of players taking any development steps...You weren't being taken advantage of their skill set in this defense.”
  — Landon McCool [07:21]

• On next DC:
  “If you can find someone who at least is stating...‘I've had my shot as a head coach, I'm looking to just kind of be a defensive coordinator...’ it could be a tiebreaker.”
  — Landon McCool [16:39]

Key Timestamps

• 01:01 — Announcement: Matt Eberflus fired; episode preview
• 02:37 — Cowboys’ urgency vs. past history of slow decisions
• 04:29 — Statistical evidence of defensive collapse
• 06:21 — No player development, wasted season for young talent
• 09:14 — Problem-solving and Eberflus’ inability to adjust
• 14:11 — Player social media reacts; team-wide relief
• 15:30 — What kind of DC should Dallas target next?
• 18:49 — Importance of scheme and organizational continuity
• 23:10 — Quick rundown of DC candidates
• 23:30-28:57 — Candidate-by-candidate breakdown with pros/cons

Summary & Takeaways

• The Cowboys made a necessary and timely move in firing Eberflus after a record-setting defensive collapse, with evidence mounting all season.
• All parties (hosts, fans, players) seemed unified in the need for change.
• Dallas must choose a coordinator who balances schematic innovation with the ability to provide sustained program stability—someone who can rebuild talent development and fit current personnel, rather than require a massive system overhaul for a short-term fix.
• Top candidates include Brian Flores, Jim Schwartz, Raheem Morris, Jeff Ulbrich, and Wink Martindale—each bringing different pros/cons.
• The hosts promise deep dives on candidates later this week, emphasizing that the Cowboys’ 2026 ceiling hinges on their hiring decision.

For those following the Cowboys’ coordinator search, this episode delivers honest analysis, inside locker room reactions, and a practical preview of possible defensive futures in Dallas.