Matt Eberflus ‘expected to be named’ Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator

The Dallas Cowboys are bringing Matt Eberflus in for an interview for their defensive coordinator position on Monday, and if all goes according to plan, he’s expected to secure the gig, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

“Former #Bears coach Matt Eberflus is headed to Dallas today for an interview, and as long as all goes well, he’s expected to be named the #Cowboys defensive coordinator, per sources,” Pelissero posted on X. “A big hire for new coach Brian Schottenheimer that should be finalized soon.”

An opening was created following the hire of new head coach Brian Schottenheimer, with Mike Zimmer revealing he’s retiring from coaching and the NFL. Now, Eberflus will step into the role, after his time as the leader of the Chicago Bears.  He was ousted mid-season by the franchise, after posting a 14-32 record across three years at the position.

There is some familiarity, however. Eberflus was the Cowboys’ linebackers coach from 2011-15, while simultaneously serving as a passing game coordinator during his final two years with the team.

As for Zimmer, he spent one season at the team’s DC. He’s been in the coaching industry since 1979 when he was hired as a defensive assistant for Missouri. Zimmer went on to be the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings from 2014-2021. He was working with Deion Sanders at both Jackson State and Colorado before heading back to the NFL.

After the 2024 season, he reflected on the time he spent calling defensive plays for the Cowboys.

“I wish that when I came in that I would have done everything the way I wanted it done and not kind of tried to blend things. I think that was part of the struggles at the beginning,” Zimmer said, via Jon Machota of The Athletic. “What I’m most proud about is watching the guys, how they’ve improved. … There is still a lot more we could have done better. I think a lot of it was that, so we had to work through a whole bunch of different scenarios to get to where I feel like [we got to] the vision that I had.

“… I was just doing things I was uncomfortable with, so I had to do what I had to do. I’ve said it to some of the coaches, you come in and here was the situation: They were good last year, right? So, I come in and I don’t want to really rock the boat. I probably wasn’t as tough as I typically am. Probably wasn’t as hard-headed about how I want to do things, I guess is the best way to say it. I wasn’t. That’s what I regret the most.”

Moving forward, the Cowboys are grateful for the time Mike Zimmer spent with their franchise, but the return of Matt Eberflus has to be considered a win. He might not have cut it as a head coach, but he’s been a fantastic coordinator, and he’s returning to his roots in Dallas.

— On3’s Barkley Truax contributed to this article.