Dallas Cowboys Defense Struggles Spur Calls for Immediate Changes Amid Key Injuries

The Dallas Cowboys have struggled defensively in the first three weeks of the 2025 NFL season, allowing the most passing yards in the league and surrendering big plays that have led to a 1-2 record. Recent losses, especially the 31-14 defeat to the Chicago Bears, highlighted their issues with pass rush and coverage, as opposing quarterbacks like Caleb Williams and Russell Wilson posted career-best performances against them. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones remains confident, attributing the defensive woes to a "perfect storm" of mismatched front and back play and emphasizing that improvement must come from individual focus and group effort. Despite the poor start, Jones expresses strong confidence in the coaching staff, including defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, who has yet to find the right fit for the current roster with his zone-heavy scheme. Compounding their defensive struggles, the Cowboys will be without key offensive players CeeDee Lamb and Tyler Booker for several weeks due to ankle injuries, further challenging the team's prospects. Meanwhile, the release of cornerback C.J. Gardner-Johnson by the Houston Texans presents an opportunity the Cowboys should consider to bolster their secondary and address their defensive shortcomings.