The Dallas Cowboys have fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. After finishing 7-9-1 and missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year, the Cowboys will be looking to hire their fourth defensive coordinator in four seasons.

After hiring former offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer as head coach, the Cowboys brought in Eberflus to replace Mike Zimmer. Eberflus was tasked with fixing a defense that ranked 31st in points allowed, 28th in yards allowed, and 29th in rushing yards allowed.

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Before the season started, the Cowboys traded their best defender, Micah Parsons, to the Green Bay Packers. The Cowboys acquired two first-round picks and Kenny Clark to help stop the run.

Despite the changes on defense, the Cowboys' defense continued to struggle this season. On 105.3 The Fan, Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones said the team lacked an identity on defense this season.

“We got to get an identity on the defensive side of the football. I don’t think we ever established what we were as a defense. We really weren’t a team that created turnovers. We didn’t get the ball. We gave up a lot of explosive (plays). At times it felt like we were (stopping) the run. But we just got a lot of work to do on that side of the ball. I think everybody knows that. We’ll go all in.”

“Bottom line, we need an identity on the defensive side of the ball. I don’t think we established that this year. Whether it’s Coach (Matt) Eberflus or whoever it is, we have to create an identity.

“I think everybody would say that Coach (Brian) Schottenheimer has a ton of energy, he’s very authentic and has an identity. We’ve got to play to that in all three phases. I think we did in one phase (offense) this year. I don’t know that we established that in the other two phases (defense, special teams).”

Dallas gave up 30.1 points per game, the most in the NFL, and finished 30th in yards allowed per game at 377 yards. The Cowboys' defense also did not create turnovers or get to the passer consistently, which had been a trademark under former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.

They ranked 30th in turnovers created and 27th in sacks. This was despite the Cowboys acquiring defensive tackle Quinnen Williams at the trade deadline.

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Eberflus finished the season in the coaches’ booth after moving from the sidelines for the final three games. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he would be evaluating Eberflus' job during the final three games. The Cowboys continued to struggle, allowing 30-plus points in two of the three games.

Before becoming the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator last offseason, Eberflus was the head coach of the Chicago Bears and previously served as the defensive coordinator of the Indianapolis Colts after a stint as the Cowboys' linebacker coach. He went 14–32 during his time as the Bears’ head coach.

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