Report: Cowboys close to naming Matt Eberflus as DC

Former Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus is closing in on a deal to become the defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys, NFL Network reported Tuesday.

Eberflus is no stranger to the Cowboys, with whom he served as the linebackers coach from 2011-17.

Should he get the job, Eberflus would take over for Mike Zimmer, who departed Dallas after the team passed over him as its head coach in favor of offensive assistant Brian Schottenheimer.

Eberflus, 54, will have his work cut out for him after the Cowboys finished 28th in total yards allowed per game (355.2) and 31st in points allowed (27.5).

Eberflus spent two-plus seasons with the Bears before being fired the day after a Thanksgiving loss to the Detroit Lions, finishing his tenure with a 14-32 record.

Before coaching the Bears, Eberflus was the defensive coordinator of the Indianapolis Colts from 2018-21. He also was the linebackers coach for the Cleveland Browns from 2009-10.