The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Matt Eberflus was once again the subject of some pointed questions on Sunday, but this time the questions came from the Dallas Cowboys beat. The former Chicago Bears head coach now works as the Cowboys defensive coordinator, and his unit was gashed on the ground by the Panthers for 216 rushing yards on Sunday.
That helped Carolina mount a fourth quarter comeback to beat Dallas, 30-27.
Does the Cowboys organization still believe in Eberflus?
The defensive letdown isn't an isolated incident, either. As of Monday afternoon, the Cowboys rank dead last in the NFL in yards allowed, and second-to-last in points allowed.
"Why do you believe that Eberflus can get this fixed?" asked one reporter after the game.
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer didn't hesistate at all with his answer.
"That's a great coach," Schottenheimer said. "I mean that's a great coach. He's been around and everywhere he's been he's had good defenses."
Eberflus has had success as a defensive coordinator and a defensive-minded head coach. In 2024, the Bears were in the top half of the league in points allowed. The year before that they were No. 1 in interceptions. He had a hand in drafting talented players like Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker. Eberflus led effective Colts defenses before joining the Bears, too.
"Our defense made some big stops in the fourth quarter," Schottenheimer said. "We weren't able to punch the ball in, and when they stop them, we've got to capitalize."
The Bears hired Eberflus to be their head coach ahead of the 2022 season. He was fired partway through the 2024 season. In 46 games under Eberflus, the Bears went 14-32.
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This is Eberflus' second stint with the Cowboys. He worked as their linebackers coach from 2011-2015, then added pass coordinator duties from 2015-2017.