The Dallas Cowboys fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus on January 6, and it didn’t seem to bother Pro Bowl defensive tackle Quinnen Williams all that much. In fact, he sounded almost invigorated on social media.
Eberflus’ exit came after a 2025 season in which the Cowboys’ defense sank to the bottom of the league and kept putting the offense in difficult spots. Dallas finished last in pass defense (251.5 yards allowed per game), and last on third down defense, allowing opponents to move the chains on more than 47% of their third-down snaps.
Thus, Eberflus getting canned didn’t come as much of a surprise.
Williams took to Instagram shortly after the news of Flus’ firing broke, captioning with his post: “Great things are coming, so happy to be a Cowboy.”
More on Quinnen Williams’ Response on Instagram After Matt Eberflus Was Fired
It sounds like Williams may be looking forward having a new DC, which makes sense. The Cowboys yielded a franchise-record 511 points this season, including 59 offensive touchdowns, and gave up 11.9 yards per reception. Dallas surrendered 30.1 points and 377 yards per game, ranking 30th in the NFL in both categories.
Next Gen Stats has Dallas’ defense ranked 30th in defensive DVOA, 30th in pass-defense DVOA, 29th in run-defense DVOA and 30th in EPA per play allowed.
Personnel upheaval was certainly part of the team’s issues on ‘D,’ too. Dallas traded away All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons before the start of the season, and the defense never consistently replaced the pressure he created off the corner. The Cowboys did try a major midseason fix, swinging a trade at the deadline for Williams, and it made a big difference.
Williams did a good job steadying the middle once he arrived. In seven games with the Cowboys in 2025, he amassed 21 tackles, 1.5 sacks, a pass defensed and an interception.
Now the Cowboys are shopping for a new DC yet again, and history suggests they may look at coaches with head coaching experience.
A Few Options the Cowboys Might Consider for Their DC Position
Jonathan Gannon offers recent head-coaching experience and could be an option after his recent firing. Gannon spent the past two seasons as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, where his defenses were short on talent but showed improvement late in games.
Gannon also served as the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive coordinator from 2021–22, overseeing a unit that ranked near the top of the league in sacks and helped lead the team to a Super Bowl appearance. His defenses tend to rely on disciplined zone coverage and four-man pressure, limiting explosive plays when executed properly.
Raheem Morris is another option. He has years of experience running NFL defenses, including his stint as the Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator during their 2021 Super Bowl run. Before becoming head coach of the Falcons, Morris was widely respected around the league for his defensive acumen and his ability to connect with players, particularly in the secondary — an area the Cowboys desperately need to fix after finishing near the bottom of the league in pass defense. He spent the last two years as head coach of Atlanta, and was just let go.
Brian Flores has also emerged as an option after his recent success coordinating the Minnesota Vikings defense, per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. Flores is known for aggressive, pressure-heavy schemes that disguise blitzes and force quarterbacks into making quick decisions. His Vikings defenses have generated high sack and pressure totals despite lacking star edge rushers.
While his head-coaching stint in Miami ended under difficult circumstances, Flores’ reputation as a defensive tactician remains strong. Hiring him would signal a sharp philosophical shift from the passive looks Dallas too often showed in 2025.
Whoever Dallas chooses, it’s clear some of their best players are looking forward to the fresh start.
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