Get the ball.
That's Matt Eberflus' simply stated onus for the Dallas Cowboys defense in 2025.
Addressing reporters Tuesday, the former Chicago Bears head coach and new Cowboys defensive coordinator forecast an exciting and opportunistic unit.
"Pretty simple: We will take the ball away," Eberflus said, via the Cowboys’ website. "That's what we will do. We will stop the run, and we want to make exciting plays for our football team."
It's an unsurprising answer from Eberflus, who was Dallas' linebackers coach from 2011-17 prior to a four-year stay as the Indianapolis Colts' defensive coordinator and the Bears' head coach for two-plus seasons.
Trademarks of Eberflus' defenses have been stopping the run, causing turnovers and bending, but not breaking. Generating turnovers has been his most consistent calling card. From 2018 through last season, Eberflus' Colts and Bears squads ranked in the top 10 in takeaways in all but one season -- 2022 with Chicago when it was 14th.
Last season, the Bears, who finished the campaign sans Eberflus after his firing, were 10th in takeaways (24 total). They weren't too far ahead of the Cowboys (12th with 22).
After what amounted to a disastrous 4-8 start rife with agonizing losses, chaotic finishes and unfulfilled potential, Eberflus was let go by the Bears.
Landing on his feet with the Cowboys wasn't a major shock considering his past experience with the club. Thus, he returns to a familiar spot in Dallas and a familiar role in being a DC.
"I was here seven years before, so I know the [Jones] family well," Eberflus said. "I know the community, I know the fanbase, and it's exciting to be back. That's what excites me the most: the fan base, the players that we get to work with and in working with the Jones family and Brian Schottenheimer."
In an interesting dynamic, Eberflus is aiming to bounce back after his first head coaching job went awry while helping Schottenheimer as he prepares for his rookie year as an HC.
Eberflus is plenty happy to be back solely helming a defense, though.
"I've always loved putting the game plans together, working with the players and calling the game on game day," he said. "That's always been something that I've loved to do: going against the great offensive coordinators in this league. That's something that's fun for me and our staff -- putting those game plans together."
Those plans will revolve in large part around pass rusher Micah Parsons, arguably the most talented player on Dallas' roster.
As Parsons prepares for his third DC in as many seasons, Eberflus is excited to concoct a defense featuring the four-time Pro Bowler.
"Micah is a premier pass rusher," Eberflus said. "We're going to use him that way, certainly, and he's one heck of an athlete that can do a lot of different things for us on defense. And when you have a guy like that, you want to be able to utilize his skill set. As we're around him more, we'll see what that skill set is, and really take advantage of that.
"He knows that we'll just make him in the best light that he can be in terms of position, in terms of pass rush, and really utilizing what he does best, and that's rushing the passer."
Since he was taken with the 12th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, Parsons has been an all-star for the Cowboys. The same can't be said for 2023 first-rounder Mazi Smith, as the defensive tackle has largely struggled. In 17 starts a season ago, he registered a 34.8 overall PFF grade.
Expectedly, Eberflus is optimistic about what lies ahead for Smith in his system.
"I'm excited about Mazi," he said. "I liked him coming out [of Michigan]. He's a real explosive athlete, with a big body type that can move really well. Excited about bringing his game to the next level, and he could certainly do that."
It's excitement season for Eberflus as he's getting going in his new gig.
It's a new chapter, but he's hoping for a successful defensive formula that he's incorporated for years now: Get the ball.
