The NFC East wasn’t quite the powerhouse it was predicted to be this year, and as the Eagles are preparing for their wild card matchup against the 49ers, the rest of the division is already looking ahead to the 2026 NFL season.
All three NFC East teams not named the Philadelphia Eagles have fired their defensive coordinator — the Giants fired Shane Bowen during the season, and both the Cowboys and Commanders parted ways with their DC’s on Tuesday. The Commanders, for their part, decided to move on from both their offensive and defensive coordinator after a disappointing 2025 season.
The Giants haven’t announced any more personnel changes after the ones they made in-season, but GM Joe Schoen will be back spearheading a head coach search which could result in additional coaching staff moves.
Dallas Cowboys
DC Matt Eberflus: The Cowboys reportedly fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, and will now set out to find their fourth DC in as many seasons. It seems like trading Micah Parsons a week before the regular season probably didn’t help Eberflus, who was likely building the defense with the elite pass rusher in mind. Still, the Cowboys defense finished the season last in receiving yards allowed (4,521) and second-to-last in touchdowns allowed (35).
Jerry Jones released a statement, in typical Jerry Jones fashion:
“Having known Matt Eberflus for decades now, we have tremendous respect and appreciation for him as a coach and a person. After reviewing and discussing the results of our defensive performance this season, though, it was clear that change is needed. This is the first step in that process, and we will continue that review as it applies to reaching our much higher expectations.”
Washington Commanders
OC Kliff Kingsbury: They’re calling this a mutually parting of ways between the Commanders and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury after two years together. Kingsbury reportedly met with head coach Dan Quinn and they both decided it was in their best interest to move on. Washington will look for a new play caller, and Kingsbury is expected to get some interest as both an OC and head coach candidate this cycle.
DC Joe Whitt Jr.: Washington had the second-oldest defense in the NFL this season, and all that experience didn’t translate to any kind of success, which was bad news for Joe Whitt. Quinn’s experience on the defensive side of the ball probably made this decision a little easier as they look in a new direction. The Commanders were in the bottom-5 teams in passing yards allowed (4,371), passing TDs allowed (33), and rushing yards allowed (2,411).
Check out more division discussion on this week’s volume of the NFC East Mixtape:
See More:
