The Dallas Cowboys have made a significant change to their coaching staff, bringing in Matt Eberflus as the new defensive coordinator, marking the third such transition in as many seasons. Eberflus, who previously served as the head coach of the Chicago Bears, faces a pivotal year in his career—one in which he seeks to find his footing and showcase his strengths in a role he is arguably better suited for: directing the defense rather than managing an entire organization.
While it’s still early in the offseason program and no contact drills have taken place, Eberflus has already started to capture the attention of Cowboys fans by implementing some intriguing personnel decisions. Notably, he has been experimenting with DaRon Bland, a known playmaker, starting in the nickel cornerback position during organized team activities (OTAs). Furthermore, the versatile Israel Mukuamu is adapting to the role of a slot cornerback, which could signal a shift in his utilization moving forward.
Mukuamu’s transition to the slot is particularly noteworthy. Originally drafted as a cornerback out of South Carolina in 2021, he has primarily seen action at safety during his first four seasons. Under former defensive coordinators Mike Zimmer and Dan Quinn, Mukuamu was given limited opportunities in the slot, even though he showed significant promise during the 2022 playoffs. Cowboys fans might remember his impressive performance against Buccaneers’ superstar slot receiver Chris Godwin, where he limited the production to just four catches for 49 yards on eight targets, complemented by a key pass breakup. Following that solid outing, he faced the 49ers and was targeted only once in 17 coverage snaps, allowing a mere 61.8 passer rating across both playoff games.
Despite those standout moments, Mukuamu’s usage dwindled the following season. Under Dan Quinn’s direction, he totaled just 77 snaps after a career-high 201 snaps under Zimmer. It’s puzzling, especially when considering the Cowboys’ defensive backfield maneuvered through a season rife with injuries. Mukuamu saw fewer than 10 defensive snaps in nine different games, and only surpassed the 20-snap mark three times.
While it’s premature to label Mukuamu a future star, his flashes of potential, along with his imposing frame—standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 205 pounds—certainly warrant further examination. As the Cowboys deal with ongoing challenges in their cornerback room, particularly due to injuries, it appears that Matt Eberflus is ready to give Mukuamu a legitimate opportunity to solidify his role within the defense.
The coming season promises to be a fascinating one for both Eberflus and Mukuamu, as the Cowboys continue to shape their roster and philosophy on defense. With new schemes and strategies unfolding, fans can look forward to seeing how these early decisions play out on the field.
