Brian Schottenheimer and Eberflus: alliance or tension?

The Dallas Cowboys’ defense is in critical condition. After allowing 250 points over the last eight games and falling to 31st in the league rankings, the team is enduring one of its worst stretches in recent memory. In the middle of the storm, Brian Schottenheimer, the head coach, made an uncomfortable but necessary decision. He chose to actively participate in defensive meetings alongside Matt Eberflus, the coordinator who joined the team after serving as head coach of the Chicago Bears.

As reported by Essentiallysports, Brian Schottenheimer admitted that stepping into another coordinator’s domain isn’t easy. “Having been a coordinator, I know what it feels like when the head coach walks into your meetings. You don’t like it, you take it personally,” he said, recalling his time with the Jets and Seahawks, where Rex Ryan and Pete Carroll used to do the same. But the current crisis demands urgent action.

Not here to interfere

Matt Eberflus, for his part, has shown openness and cooperation. “Flus hasn’t acted that way at all,” Brian Schottenheimer noted. “He’s been very receptive to some of the ideas.” The goal isn’t to interfere, but to offer tactical insight from an offensive perspective—how to attack, how to adjust, how to survive.

The defense needs answers, and fast. Meanwhile, Stephen Jones stepped in to ease the tension. In an interview with 105.3 The FAN, he reaffirmed his trust in Eberflus. “He was an elite coordinator in Indianapolis and had strong defenses in Chicago. We all need to improve—from players to ownership.”

Building from within

Although Brian Schottenheimer and the Cowboys ruled out signing Maxx Crosby, speculation around defensive reinforcements continues. Names like Myles Garrett (Browns), Minkah Fitzpatrick (Steelers), Jaelan Phillips (Dolphins), and Bradley Chubb (Dolphins) are circulating around the league. Jerry Jones hasn’t closed the door on moves, but insists the focus isn’t on chasing sack artists—it’s about rebuilding the unit from within.

Brian Schottenheimer’s intervention may be the first step. It’s rare to see a head coach dive so deeply into the defensive side, but when the ship is sinking, there’s no room for protocol. Dallas needs solutions, and time is running out.

Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said he has spent a “significant amount more” time in defensive meetings compared to the start of the season. “That’s to help. It’s not to get in the way.”

“I give (DC Matt Eberflus) a ton of credit. Having been a coordinator, having had head… pic.twitter.com/1RMT8msLkr

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) October 29, 2025