ARLINGTON, Texas — One day prior, the Dallas Cowboys discovered they were officially eliminated from playoff contention when the Philadelphia Eagles secured their second consecutive NFC East crown against the Washington Commanders. On Sunday, due to their loss against the Los Angeles Chargers, they discovered something else: they can no longer finish the 2025 season with a winning record.
Owners of a 6-8-1 record following their failings in their final home game of the season, the Cowboys can, at best, break even at 8-8-1, if they win two consecutive road games — against the Commanders and the Giants, respectively.
Contrarily, losing just one of those contests will push the Cowboys to their second consecutive losing season, and for the first time since the turn of the century, in 2001 and 2002, when Dave Campo led the charge at head coach. With so much promise heading into the inaugural season of the Brian Schottenheimer era, a blockbuster trade for George Pickens in tow, things simply never came together the way Dallas envisioned.
The defense was statistically, and realistically, one of, and often the, worst in the NFL, aided only by the blockbuster trade to acquire All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams at the trade deadline. That did help spark a three-game win streak that included taking down the Eagles and Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, but the three-game losing streak that has since followed makes the initial post-bye surge feel as if it were 10 years ago.
Despite fielding two 1,000-yard receivers, a 1,000-yard running back and a 4,000-yard passer, the Cowboys are clinging to trying to avoid a losing season, but nothing more, and owner and general manager was rightfully asked about his view on the state of Cowboys' affairs, including the future of defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, among other things.
On if the Cowboys underachieved in 2025:
"Yes, from what we expected and what we thought, absolutely we did. We all underachieved, really. And the fact we're not in the playoffs says that for you, but I thought we've done some things out there that, frankly, we can carry forward with us. t's always the case that there's some positive things. The question is, can we make some changes where we need to?"
On the difficult talks ahead regarding Matt Eberflus' future:
"I might not couch it as difficult. It's certainly something that we have to do. And that is to look at the entire year and look at what our options are, and how to correct it so we're not here at the same time next year. Now, that's not uncommon to evaluate at this time of the year — your entire coaching staff. And, obviously, the target is on him because of our statistical, as well as actual play on the defensive side of the ball, but that goes with it."
On taking everything into account regarding Matt Eberflus:
"Ultimately, you point your finger right back at you, the guy who hired Matt Eberflus. My point is, the whole thing is really easy to sit here and say, 'You could have done things differently.' But that goes with the territory. And anytime you [are the one that makes] the ultimate decision, then you've got to look at that, and weigh it."
Is the lack of continuity in the post-Dan Quinn era frustrating?
"Yes, absolutely. I think it is very telling. I would say right here, on my feet, this quick after a game, that you should first look at the continuity you haven't had over the last several years, on your defensive side of both. You've been moving it around pretty good. Now, they hadn't been the same players out there over the last four years. But I'm a big believer that continuity gives you an edge. Now, the continuity has got to be with people, players, coaches, management, that can do some good things. … We'll have to sacrifice continuity as it pertains to next year, if we decide to make a change. And, you know, you can carry that [but] so far. …
"But we played a pretty good defensive scheme out there tonight, and they've done a pretty good job in the time that head coach has had them lined up in his second year. He's developed some pretty good continuity out there with that defense in two years — so much for the definition of continuity."
On the lack of pressure vs. an offense that often allows a lot of it:
"Yeah, I was disappointed — very disappointed today. Great question. We came in really planning to get pressure, and didn't. It obviously was a disappointment not to have Quinnen [Williams] out there, but we got some good play from [Kenny Clark]. … But it was disappointing not to have more pressure on [Justin Herbert]. It was pretty obvious in our evaluation of his past games, that when you pressure him, he doesn't have the best production. That was a shortcoming of us today: we couldn't get pressure."
On if moving Tyler Smith to left tackle is a hint at the future:
"Well, no, but he's there as a tackle [right now]. We had the great experience of moving Larry Allen out there, and he makes All-Pro, but we've always thought that Tyler Smith could be a great left tackle. But that's not to say that we don't think that we've got a good chance with Tyler Guyton as our left tackle. I don't want to imply that at all."
On the performance of Dak Prescott, despite no playoff berth:
"I am pleased with what we have in Dak, very pleased going forward. Nothing we've done so far this season gives me anything but optimism about going forward at one of the key, if not the key position."
