Poll: BIGGEST reason our defense was so bad in 2025

[kskboys]

It's the scheme, it's always the scheme. Sometimes coordinators are forced to play certain schemes.

 

[kskboys]

Wish it was multiple choice.
Where is Jerry on the list?

I said lack of continuity, but Eberflus refusal to change his scheme to fit the players was a huge part of it also.
With a new DC coming in, and I think there will be a significant amount of changes in the defense. Not just another scheme but also players it still may take some time for them to gel.

You mean Eber forced to use the schemes he did due to a huge lack of talent.

 

[blueblood70]

4. Trade of Micah Parsons. Is anyone truly convinced that the ex-Dallas podcaster and malcontent would have significantly revved-up this year's model?

No ,he would not have, in my opinion he would have been lipstick on a pig, no different than Max Crosby or Myles Garrett didn't help their teams be any better not when there's too many holes everywhere else...


Do you overpay for Parsons he makes your pass rush look better from one side while the deep ends picked you apart elsewhere which by the way has happened while he was here as a cowboy against better offenses they knew how to at least neutralize him or slow him down to a point where they were putting up plenty of points Do we need to see any other proof that he was on our team against Green Bay they lit us up he was on their team and Prescott put 40 on them and should have beat them...

Yes he's a great player no doubt but he would not have fixed this mess They had to weigh his antics his body language locker room culture and$45 million price tag versus what would he actually impact this team going forward and maybe they got lucky but, they were right...

 

[Kingofholland]

The defense was bad with Zimmer as well, but had a ton of injuries. Most definitely there's a talent issue in the back 7, but it's also on Eberflus to make changes and put players in the right spot. Everyone looked bad doing it regardless who was in so believe that's a coaching issue. If the entire class is failing is that on the students or the teacher?

 

[jazzcat22]

You mean Eber forced to use the schemes he did due to a huge lack of talent.

Combination most likely.
But when everyone in the world seen his zone defense sucked, he refused to use any man to man.
When he seen how Hurts ran all over us in game one, he refused to use a spy on him to try to contain him.

That is on him. and all the players new and vets had to learn yet another scheme, regardless of how bad it was.

 

[OGSixshooter]

Lack of talent. Someone could have coordinated a better defense, but NO ONE could have coordinated a good defense out this group:

Malik Hooker/Donovan Wilson - they were both cooked before the season
Cornerback - toxic room, injuries, drama and people with bionic legs from college (Revel) trying to cover NFL WRs
Linebackers - LOL...seriously?
D-line: No investment until mid-season and even then...draft busts, bad decisions, trade and attrition.

There was no coordinator who was going to make Jerry's slop into a decent meal.

 

[blueblood70]

The defense was bad with Zimmer as well, but had a ton of injuries. Most definitely there's a talent issue in the back 7, but it's also on Eberflus to make changes and put players in the right spot. Everyone looked bad doing it regardless who was in so believe that's a coaching issue. If the entire class is failing is that on the students or the teacher?

I agree but to add to that people keep forgetting that once those players did come back for Zimmer down the stretch I think in the back half of the season they led the NFC in Sacks & turnovers at least there was some kind of identity,

there was a pulse...

So yes most of the blame has to go to Matt somebody needs to put a number on it 75% of the problem was the scheme And the game plan and the play caller of the said scheme....

 

[Mr_437]

I can't participate in this poll without a "all of the above" option.

 

[Kingofholland]

I agree but to add to that people keep forgetting that once those players did come back for Zimmer down the stretch I think in the back half of the season they led the NFC in Sacks & turnovers at least there was some kind of identity,

there was a pulse...

So yes most of the blame has to go to Matt somebody needs to put a number on it 75% of the problem was the scheme And the game plan and the play caller of the said scheme....

I think that's a fair percentage. It's interesting with guys like Wilson and Hooker who I thought were pretty solid safety options before, but totally looked lost under new schemes. Probably more capable than what we saw this year or maybe they're just slowing down with age. For Murray he was involved in some big head scratching moments and Eberflus should have recognized earlier he had him playing outside his skillset. For Bland and Revel injuries took away from their season but if healthy probably better than what we saw this year.

 

[blueblood70]

I think that's a fair percentage. It's interesting with guys like Wilson and Hooker who I thought were pretty solid safety options before, but totally looked lost under new schemes. Probably more capable than what we saw this year or maybe they're just slowing down with age. For Murray he was involved in some big head scratching moments and Eberflus should have recognized earlier he had him playing outside his skillset. For Bland and Revel injuries took away from their season but if healthy probably better than what we saw this year.

Exactly hell if you wanted to do 60-40 does it really matter, I mean it was obvious he needed to go he has too big an ego and too stuck in his old ways to get this turned around quick enough...

Jerry intimated he understood that the roster was limited the injuries were so bad it's hard to understand how two years in a row you can be hit that hard All mostly on defense..

He considered that but he made the right move Need somebody with a little bit more flexibility and less of an ego Just do what you have to like Dan Quinn did if I get a younger version of that which can run multiples..

It's a perfect time to do this with so many one year contracts or contracts that are running out, or even better most of our linebackers have no guarantees, no dead cap ,You cut them boom zero loss, you could the new DC can pick whoever he wants within reason, to rebuild his defense overnight ,like Dan Quinn did ,it won't be great overnight ,but at least maybe it can get turned around in the right direction...

goal 1= move this defense in the offseason from 32 to 20...

goal 2-move the d from 20 to 16 by midseason, find an identity and stop relying on the O scoring 30 every game, to just have shot..

 

[kskboys]

Combination most likely.
But when everyone in the world seen his zone defense sucked, he refused to use any man to man.
When he seen how Hurts ran all over us in game one, he refused to use a spy on him to try to contain him.

That is on him. and all the players new and vets had to learn yet another scheme, regardless of how bad it was.

Can't play man if your corners can't cover, duh. People keep screaming this from the rooftops, but they're simply not going through w/ the thoughts pertaining to it.

Spy? We can't even stop the run, a spy would've been irrelevant. That is not on him.

 

[jazzcat22]

Can't play man if your corners can't cover, duh. People keep screaming this from the rooftops, but they're simply not going through w/ the thoughts pertaining to it.

Spy? We can't even stop the run, a spy would've been irrelevant. That is not on him.

Disagree

 

[kskboys]

Exactly hell if you wanted to do 60-40 does it really matter, I mean it was obvious he needed to go he has too big an ego and too stuck in his old ways to get this turned around quick enough...

Jerry intimated he understood that the roster was limited the injuries were so bad it's hard to understand how two years in a row you can be hit that hard All mostly on defense..

He considered that but he made the right move Need somebody with a little bit more flexibility and less of an ego Just do what you have to like Dan Quinn did if I get a younger version of that which can run multiples..

It's a perfect time to do this with so many one year contracts or contracts that are running out, or even better most of our linebackers have no guarantees, no dead cap ,You cut them boom zero loss, you could the new DC can pick whoever he wants within reason, to rebuild his defense overnight ,like Dan Quinn did ,it won't be great overnight ,but at least maybe it can get turned around in the right direction...

goal 1= move this defense in the offseason from 32 to 20...

goal 2-move the d from 20 to 16 by midseason, find an identity and stop relying on the O scoring 30 every game, to just have shot..

Not obvious at all. It's obvious that we have a monstrous glaring lack of talent, that is what is obvious.

 

[kskboys]

Disagree

You think a team can play man coverage if their corners can't cover? Tell me you're not serious.

 

[jazzcat22]

You think a team can play man coverage if their corners can't cover? Tell me you're not serious.

How do you know they can't cover when they don't play it.
They covered before. Diggs and Bland played injured all season as well. And Revel coming off an injury.

 

[jazzcat22]

Can't play man if your corners can't cover, duh. People keep screaming this from the rooftops, but they're simply not going through w/ the thoughts pertaining to it.

Spy? We can't even stop the run, a spy would've been irrelevant. That is not on him.

Uncalled for, I am not stupid. I do know what I am talking about. Don't think your opinion is always right. Because it is not.
And if I do not know something or unsure of, I will state it and ask about it.

Like I still do not understand all the 1 tech, 3 tech type stuff, nor have I tried to understand it. I just want them to make plays.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I can't participate in this poll without a "all of the above" option.

No one would have voted for any of the other options.

 

[KB1122]

2 and 3. But I went 2.

 

[KB1122]

The fact that so many think Eberflus was a bigger issue than talent is concerning but not surprising.

Belichik in his prime could have this crew and they’d be middle of the pack at best.

Eberflus sucked but until we get a few great defenders, we wont see a championship level defense

Thats why you end up with No. 3.

 

[Beaker42]

All contributory factors, for sure. Ranked?

1. Defensive Coordinator Matt Eberflus. Other (former) NFL coaches and commentators were calling out the guy for defensive plays and schemes frequently inappropriate (baffling, even). The "Dumbsday Defense." Enough said.

2. Lack of continuity with 4 DCs in 5 years. Even with the fluidity of today's rosters, it's a huge "ask" for any squad to adopt and learn a new defensive philosophy and scheme every year.

3. Lack of defensive talent. Injuries and JAGs are a fact of life for every team. You deal with it. And...at least on paper...was the talent really "last-in-the-League" bad?

4. Trade of Micah Parsons. Is anyone truly convinced that the ex-Dallas podcaster and malcontent would have significantly revved-up this year's model?

To be fair, the country started calling us out after week 2 or 3 - his stooopid a$z should’ve been gone then