On Tuesday, the Dallas Cowboys made a decisive change on the defensive side of the ball, announcing the firing of defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus after just one season with the team. And according to NFL insider Dianna Russini, Brian Flores is a name to watch in Dallas’ search for someone to fill the vacancy.
NFL Insider Suggests Brian Flores Could Be Candidate In Dallas
The Cowboys had arguably the worst defense in the league in 2025. There was no one worse in terms of points allowed, as Dallas gave up a total of 511 on the season, an average of over 31 per contest. Their 377 yards allowed per game was 3rd-worst of any team, making it an easy decision to part ways with Eberflus at the conclusion of the regular season.
One name to watch for the Cowboys’ new vacancy? Brian Flores. https://t.co/TlHxje29zW
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 6, 2026
The Cowboys’ defensive woes were compounded by the offseason trade of star pass rusher Micah Parsons, a decision that arguably left Eberflus without the elite playmaker needed to anchor his schemes.
With Eberflus out, a swirl of names is emerging as potential replacements, but one has quickly stood out in NFL circles: Brian Flores, currently defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings. NFL insider reports have identified Flores as a candidate the Cowboys could pursue in their search for a defensive rebuilder.
Flores’ trajectory as a defensive mind over the past three seasons in Minnesota has drawn league-wide attention. Since being hired by the Vikings ahead of the 2023 season, Flores has helped transform Minnesota’s defense into one of the league’s more reliable units. Under his guidance, the Vikings finished among the top defenses in points allowed and consistently held opponents under league-average scoring levels, a stark contrast to what Dallas endured in 2025.
Vikings & Cowboys Defenses Finished On Opposite Ends In 2025
Vikings defensive performance metrics reflect this turnaround. In 2025, Minnesota’s defense ranked inside the top 10 in scoring defense, and the unit has routinely been cited for efficiency against both the pass and overall opponent yards allowed. Opposing offenses have consistently found it challenging to sustain scoring drives against Flores’ schemes, which emphasize pressure and situational discipline.
For Dallas, targeting a coordinator with a recent track record of defensive success makes intuitive sense. The Cowboys have flirted with elite offensive production for years, but a persistent lack of defensive identity has kept them from reaching their full potential. Bringing in a coach like Flores could be exactly the change Dallas needs to balance its roster and return to postseason relevance.
However, Flores is not a lock to leave Minnesota. The Vikings reportedly value his work highly and are interested in extending his contract, making the offseason pursuit anything but assured.
