There's no other way to put it: the Dallas Cowboys' defense in 2025 has not been very good.
In a 34-17 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at AT&T Stadium, Matt Eberflus' defense was again horrific.
It failed to get crucial third-down stops and didn't offer much of a fightback against what the Chargers were doing.
And for ESPN's Todd Archer, an eighth game of allowing 30+ points per game means that in 2026, Dallas has a different defensive coordinator.
"Matt Eberflus hoped a change of scenery from the sideline to the coaches' booth would help -- it didn't," Archer wrote. "Only two games remain in a playoff-less season, so maybe it wouldn't make that much of a difference, but when the 2026 season kicks off, it is likely the Cowboys will be employing their fourth defensive coordinator in as many years."
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Cowboys' 2025 season one to forget
Offensively, the Cowboys, for the most part, have been one of the best units in football. But defensively, they have been one of the worst.
As such, the Cowboys' offense has had to play near-perfect football just to stay in and win games, and when they aren't, like on Sunday against L.A., the score quickly gets away from them.
Given how potent the offense is, this offseason should be all about fixing this defense. Armed with cap space and two first-round picks, there is ammunition to do it.
And in Week 1 of the 2026 season, there will likely be a new coordinator spearheading it.
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