It has been more than two decades now since Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith suited up for the team in Dallas, but there’s still no doubt that he has kept a critical eye on the team for which he helped win three Super Bowls. And there’s also no doubt that he is not all that impressed with what he’s seen through the first half of the season.
Like most observers of the Cowboys, Smith sees the defense as the problem. That’s not anything all that new or unique–the Cowboys are the second-worst defense in the league in points allowed (277) and yards allowed (3,577).
But what’s different about Smith is that he is not really holding back on assigning blame for what’s gone wrong with the Cowboys defense. he is the rare former star who is calling out the problem directly.
For Smith, the Cowboys’ issue has been defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. Smith spoke with the USA Today site Cowboys Wire, and it was clear he has not been impressed by the former Bears head coach, who is returning to Dallas, where he had been the linebackers coach from 2011-17.
“Man, do we look like we are completely lost,” Smith told Cowboys Wire. “I am befuddled at all of the things that are going wrong on the defensive side of the ball. We look very basic and very fundamental. And very amateurish, if you will. Nothing sexy about it. And still the mistakes are being made, which is to me is a sign of poor coaching, defensively.”
(Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus of the Dallas Cowboys
Of course, Eberflus defenders out there–we presume there are a few–would point out that the Cowboys are now on their third defensive coordinator in three years, which is not an ideal recipe for building a defense.
The Cowboys also traded away Micah Parsons before the start of the season, and lost valuable veteran DeMarcus Lawrence. With injuries, too, the talent level dipped.
But Smith’s not really buying that.
“It can’t all be about players,” he said. “You have to start looking at coaches at some point, and every coach is not a genius. And every defensive coordinator is not a brilliant defensive coordinator or a great schemer. Some people hide behind some of the greatness of the people that left before them, and then when their time has come up, they’re nowhere near the caliber of coach that they thought they were.”
Now, the Cowboys do have an opportunity to change the defensive narrative, now that they’ve made the trades for lineman Quinnen Williams and linebacker Logan Wilson. They also have DeMarvion Overshown returning and will soon figure out of rookie Shavon Revel can help them.
The players, then, are getting better. But for Smith, it might well be the coach who is at fault.
“When I think about our defense right now, I know these guys are working hard. I’m not questioning that,” Smith said. “I know they’re trying, but I don’t know if the coaching or the personnel is there for them to do the things that they’re doing. … That’s part of the challenges that teams face when they rotate new coaches in and old coaches out.”
The New Orleans Saints are finalizing preparations for the stretch of the 2025 season, with roster moves settling in and young players carving out their first real roles. But away from the practice field, one surprising off-field decision has drawn national attention.
As the franchise locks in its 53-man roster, focus should be squarely on football. Yet, the personal lives of rookies often become intertwined with the spotlight, especially when outside distractions collide with the demands of the NFL.
This week, a first-year Saint made a headline-grabbing decision unrelated to football. For him, staying in New Orleans’ long-term plans meant not only competing on the field, but also managing the pressures of celebrity attention off it.
That rookie is running back Audric Estimé, who recently secured a spot on the Saints’ 53-man roster after being elevated from the practice squad. Shortly after that milestone, he ended his relationship with a well-known social media celebrity, an online star with millions of followers and a massive global audience.
The influencer built her brand through music, lifestyle content and viral posts that turned her into one of the most recognizable young digital personalities. Her reach and visibility inevitably brought heightened scrutiny onto Estimé as he adjusted to life in the NFL and tried to solidify his role in New Orleans.
The rookie explained his choice candidly in a private conversation that has since circulated among team circles:
“Right now, I need to focus on building my career with the Saints. There were too many cameras, too many eyes on my life off the field. I need peace, I need focus – if not, I will lose my chance and get left behind in New Orleans.”
Fans immediately reacted across X and Instagram, some applauding Estimé for putting football first, others sympathizing with his former girlfriend and questioning the pressure placed on young players to sacrifice their personal lives. The split fueled debate over the challenges rookies face in balancing relationships with the ruthless demands of professional sports.
For Audric Estimé, cracking the 53-man roster is only the beginning. By cutting ties with distractions and the glare of social media celebrity culture, the rookie signaled that his priority is clear: proving himself in the Saints’ backfield and earning trust in New Orleans for years to come.