Matt Eberflus rejoins Cowboys as defensive coordinator after Bears firing

Former Bears head coach looks to revive Dallas defense, end team's NFC title game drought

Apr. 20, 2026 at 2:28am

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Matt Eberflus is returning to the Dallas Cowboys as their new defensive coordinator, just months after being fired as head coach of the Chicago Bears. Eberflus previously spent seven seasons on the Cowboys' defensive staff from 2011-2017 before becoming the Colts' defensive coordinator and then the Bears' head coach. Now he's back in Dallas, reuniting with familiar faces as he aims to help the Cowboys end their long drought of not reaching the NFC Championship game.

Why it matters

Eberflus' return to Dallas represents a homecoming for the veteran coach, who had success with the Cowboys' defense earlier in his career. His experience as a first-time NFL head coach with the Bears, even though it ended in his firing, could also provide valuable perspective as he works under new Cowboys offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. Eberflus will look to revive a Dallas defense that has struggled at times to get key stops in big playoff moments.

The details

Eberflus, 57, never seriously considered taking a year off from coaching after being fired by the Bears, with his wife Kelly pushing him to get back to work. The Cowboys' defensive coordinator job represents a familiar opportunity for Eberflus, who had a seven-year stint on the Dallas staff from 2011-2017 that led to his promotion to become the Colts' defensive coordinator. Now he's back in Dallas, reuniting with several assistants he had in Chicago and looking to help the Cowboys end their long drought of not reaching the NFC Championship game, which dates back to the 1995 season.

  • Eberflus was fired by the Chicago Bears on January 9, 2023, after going 14-32 as their head coach.
  • Eberflus was hired as the Dallas Cowboys' new defensive coordinator on February 15, 2023.

The players

Matt Eberflus

A 57-year-old veteran coach who previously spent seven seasons on the Dallas Cowboys' defensive staff from 2011-2017 before becoming the Colts' defensive coordinator and then the Bears' head coach, a role he was fired from in January 2023.

Brian Schottenheimer

The new offensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, taking over for Mike McCarthy, who was fired after the 2022 season.

Aaron Rodgers

The star quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, who has defeated the Cowboys in key playoff moments in the past.

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What they’re saying

“'She said she wanted me to go to work now, and I did, too.'”

— Matt Eberflus, Dallas Cowboys Defensive Coordinator

“'The first couple meetings I had with him, I said, 'I'm here for you.' I want to really just do a good job of bouncing ideas off of (him), experiences that I had and just working together to be able to utilize me. Because I do have the experience of being a head coach for him and to make his job easier.'”

— Matt Eberflus, Dallas Cowboys Defensive Coordinator

“'We've got to be able to win football games, and when you don't then there's always those possibilities of things happening. In life, you're going to get knocked down. You're going to get punched in the gut. It's how you get back up and keep swinging, keep fighting.'”

— Ken Dorsey, Dallas Cowboys Pass Game Specialist

What’s next

Eberflus and the Cowboys' defense will look to make an immediate impact in the 2023 season as they aim to end the team's long drought of not reaching the NFC Championship game.

The takeaway

Eberflus' return to Dallas represents a homecoming for the veteran coach, who has a chance to revive the Cowboys' defense and help the team finally break through to the NFC title game after years of falling short. His experience as a head coach, even if it ended in his firing, could provide valuable perspective as he works under new offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer.