Poll: BIGGEST reason our defense was so bad in 2025

[kskboys]

I believe it was Eberflus trash *** scheme.

But I was told weeks ago that our defensive problems were the cause of people who didn't even play on the defensive side of the ball....

I'm still trying to make sense of that.....

Since they say stuff like that to get your goat, why do you let them do it?

 

[Chasing6]

2025 gave us the most points ever surrendered in a Cowboys season. So…In your opinion, what was the BIGGEST reason our defense was so bad in 2025?

Vote and tell us your reasoning.

I picked a lack of talent. This was the least talented defensive roster I’ve seen in a long time. (Getting Q Williams is a step forward) Eberflus was awful and having 4 DCs in 5 years doesn’t help. But it’s hard for even good coaching to work miracles without some talent.

Need to add Jerry as an option.

 

[IceStar-D7]

You should of gave the option of GM...

 

[Bobhaze]

Need to add Jerry as an option.

Agreed. But he was involved in every one of the 4 options. So he’s already there. He’s THE biggest problem this team has.

 

[Chasing6]

Agreed. But he was involved in every one of the 4 options. So he’s already there. He’s THE biggest problem this team has.

So he is 100%

 

[xwalker]

2025 gave us the most points ever surrendered in a Cowboys season. So…In your opinion, what was the BIGGEST reason our defense was so bad in 2025?

Vote and tell us your reasoning.

I picked a lack of talent. This was the least talented defensive roster I’ve seen in a long time. (Getting Q Williams is a step forward) Eberflus was awful and having 4 DCs in 5 years doesn’t help. But it’s hard for even good coaching to work miracles without some talent.

They won 12 games in 2023:

Starters on Defense:
LB: Damone Clark and M. Bell
Safety:: Wilson and Hooker
Outside CB: Diggs was out both years.
DT: Better in 25.
DE: Fowler had 10 sacks in 24, zero in 25.

The D-Coordinator Sucked.

They cut or put on IR all defensive players that can't play in the NFL except the kept Kenneth Murray as a starter. The still had both 23 starting LBs available.

Eberflus is obviously the one that pushed to get Murray and stubbornly kept starting him.

Dan Quinn made a decent defense in 23 from similar talent except he had Parsons but didn't have Quinnen Williams

Everybody seemed to be injured on the 49ers defense but they just won the wildcard game. Their MLB was Kendricks who Eberflus didn't want to re-sign...

 

[kskboys]

They won 12 games in 2023:

Starters on Defense:
LB: Damone Clark and M. Bell
Safety:: Wilson and Hooker
Outside CB: Diggs was out both years.
DT: Better in 25.
DE: Fowler had 10 sacks in 24, zero in 25.

The D-Coordinator Sucked.

They cut or put on IR all defensive players that can't play in the NFL except the kept Kenneth Murray as a starter. The still had both 23 starting LBs available.

Eberflus is obviously the one that pushed to get Murray and stubbornly kept starting him.

Dan Quinn made a decent defense in 23 from similar talent except he had Parsons but didn't have Quinnen Williams

Everybody seemed to be injured on the 49ers defense but they just won the wildcard game. Their MLB was Kendricks who Eberflus didn't want to re-sign...

No, he didn't. Players he had that Ever didn't have: Parsons, Gilmore, Hankins, Kearse, Armstrong, Gallimore, Kendricks, Golston, Lewis, Watkins.

It's not even close, dude, quit making false claims, it's beneath you.

 

[diamonddelts]

In your opinion, what was the BIGGEST reason our defense was so bad in 2025?

JERRY "CONSTANTLY ON THE WRONG SIDE OF HISTORY" JONES

 

[Chasing6]

They won 12 games in 2023:

Starters on Defense:
LB: Damone Clark and M. Bell
Safety:: Wilson and Hooker
Outside CB: Diggs was out both years.
DT: Better in 25.
DE: Fowler had 10 sacks in 24, zero in 25.

The D-Coordinator Sucked.

They cut or put on IR all defensive players that can't play in the NFL except the kept Kenneth Murray as a starter. The still had both 23 starting LBs available.

Eberflus is obviously the one that pushed to get Murray and stubbornly kept starting him.

Dan Quinn made a decent defense in 23 from similar talent except he had Parsons but didn't have Quinnen Williams

Everybody seemed to be injured on the 49ers defense but they just won the wildcard game. Their MLB was Kendricks who Eberflus didn't want to re-sign...

People forget, we had a soft schedule in 2023.

 

[triplets_93]

Imo, the Great NFL Defenses play as units.

But Jerrah likes to focus on individuals.

This is why we will Never get to the SB under Jerrah.

 

[IceBowler]

In a nutshell - Laying off wide receivers 10 yards on 3rd and 3.

 

[ColoradoCowboy]

My vote is: Yes.

 

[DandyDon52]

And you can't judge a DC w/ an extreme lack of talent. Goes both ways.

I think you can, I wasnt expecting a steel curtain or doomsday defense lol.
He used what he had poorly and he was the one who brought in murray who everyone said was bad,
and he continued to use him even after they got wilson.
How do you explain that?

The def guys played way too far off receivers, even in a zone cov they should be closer to potential rec.
Bend dont break wont work with any group of guys so why use it?
Also it is better to bring pressure and get beat deep sometimes , than to not have any pressure at all.

Eberflus did too many things wrong to say he is a good coach.

 

[jaybird]

2025 gave us the most points ever surrendered in a Cowboys season. So…In your opinion, what was the BIGGEST reason our defense was so bad in 2025?

Vote and tell us your reasoning.

I picked a lack of talent. This was the least talented defensive roster I’ve seen in a long time. (Getting Q Williams is a step forward) Eberflus was awful and having 4 DCs in 5 years doesn’t help. But it’s hard for even good coaching to work miracles without some talent.

Trading Micah and therefore lack of talent.

 

[mardwin]

The defense wasn't just bad. It was historically bad. Eberflus just refused to adjust to his personnel and showed zero creativity.

His lack of flexibility hurt a lot but the lack of talent was the #1 reason it was historically bad.

DE: This unit was so bad that their best pass rushers were a guy they picked up off the street (Clowney ) and another guy that neither the Browns or Lions wanted (Houston).

LB: I've been watching the Cowboys for decades and this is worst linebacker Corp I've ever seen. Sanborn and Murray are not NFL caliber players and the fact that we went into the season with these two as starters is an indictment against this front office.

Secondary: Outside Revel and Bland, none are quality starters.

 

[atlantacowboy]

His lack of flexibility hurt a lot but the lack of talent was the #1 reason it was historically bad.

DE: This unit was so bad that their best pass rushers were a guy they picked up off the street (Clowney ) and another guy that neither the Browns or Lions wanted (Houston).

LB: I've been watching the Cowboys for decades and this is worst linebacker Corp I've ever seen. Sanborn and Murray are not NFL caliber players and the fact that we went into the season with these two as starters is an indictment against this front office.

Secondary: Outside Revel and Bland, none are quality starters.

The #1 job of a DC is to adapt to the personnel he has on the roster. This is particularly true for a new DC. Granted , we didn't have a lot of talent of defense outside of the DL, but neither does SF. They are down to their 4th and 5th LB and have nothing in the secondary but castoffs. Yet, they are in the playoffs and winning games bc their DC is adapting to what he's got and putting guys in positions where they have a chance to succeed. Eberflus was a stubborn mule all year.

 

[vlad]

I see Jerry would be happy to see most blame the Coach and not the talent.

 

[kskboys]

The #1 job of a DC is to adapt to the personnel he has on the roster. This is particularly true for a new DC. Granted , we didn't have a lot of talent of defense outside of the DL, but neither does SF. They are down to their 4th and 5th LB and have nothing in the secondary but castoffs. Yet, they are in the playoffs and winning games bc their DC is adapting to what he's got and putting guys in positions where they have a chance to succeed. Eberflus was a stubborn mule all year.

SF has legit starters on D. We don't. It's just not that complicated.

 

[kskboys]

I think you can, I wasnt expecting a steel curtain or doomsday defense lol.
He used what he had poorly and he was the one who brought in murray who everyone said was bad,
and he continued to use him even after they got wilson.
How do you explain that?

The def guys played way too far off receivers, even in a zone cov they should be closer to potential rec.
Bend dont break wont work with any group of guys so why use it?
Also it is better to bring pressure and get beat deep sometimes , than to not have any pressure at all.

Eberflus did too many things wrong to say he is a good coach.

Murray: We have no one else. The best hope was that Murray would eventually develop enough instincts to play.

Coverage: When your secondary sucks as bad as ours, you simply have not choice but to play zone. Man coverage would've been worse, especially w/ our extreme lack of pocket disruption. We had no pressure to bring.

I've seen no one say he's a good coach. Where'd you get that from?

 

[darthseinfeld]

2025 gave us the most points ever surrendered in a Cowboys season. So…In your opinion, what was the BIGGEST reason our defense was so bad in 2025?

Vote and tell us your reasoning.

I picked a lack of talent. This was the least talented defensive roster I’ve seen in a long time. (Getting Q Williams is a step forward) Eberflus was awful and having 4 DCs in 5 years doesn’t help. But it’s hard for even good coaching to work miracles without some talent.

#1 was a lack of talent. With Eberflus a close 2nd