Cowboys DC Matt Eberflus to coach from booth in final 3 games after Jerry Jones' comments: 'Everybody is being evaluated'

Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus announced that he will be moving to the coaches' booth for the final three games. Eberflus previously called plays from the sidelines during the first 14 games and has coached from the booth before. He is making the change to give the defense a different perspective.

This is Eberflus' first season as the Cowboys' defensive coordinator after the team let go of former DC Mike Zimmer following last season. Dallas ranks 31st in points allowed, giving up 30 points per game, and is 29th in yards allowed per game at 374.9 yards. Before the season started, the Cowboys traded their best defender, Micah Parsons, to the Green Bay Packers.

While the defense has shown signs of improvement since acquiring defensive tackle Quinnen Williams at the trade deadline, the Cowboys have allowed 28 or more points in each of their last three games.

Jones was asked Tuesday on Dallas' 105.3 The FAN whether Eberflus' job status will be determined by how the Cowboys perform defensively over the final three games of the regular season.

"I think that should be a big criteria because these three games are vital to us," Jones said. "We don't play a game that's not important to us. ... But yes, how we play over these next few weeks will be a big criteria because I think, really, we're at one of the peaks of our healthiness right now. ... If we can step out there and have three good games, then I think that should go into the decision making."

Eberflus also addressed Jones' comments about being evaluated during the final three games.

This is the NFL," Eberflus said. Everybody is being evaluated throughout the whole league. That's part of the job."

Before becoming the Cowboys' defensive coordinator last offseason, Eberflus was the head coach of the Chicago Bears and previously served as the defensive coordinator of the Indianapolis Colts. He went 14-32 during his time as the Bears' head coach.

At 6-7-1, the Cowboys face nearly impossible odds of making the playoffs, but these final three games could shape what the team looks like next season. The Cowboys have to win out and hope the Philadelphia Eagles lose the rest of their games to sneak in the playoffs.

If the Cowboys fail to make the playoffs this season, it will be their second consecutive season and they would have missed the playoffs in four out of five seasons. The Cowboys will face the Los Angeles Chargers (10-4) on Sunday.