Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer has drawn early scrutiny in his second season for carrying both the head-coaching responsibilities and the play-calling duties, a dual load that looked seamless when the offense opened the year averaging 30.5 points per game.
Over the past two weeks, however, the unit has managed only 29 total points, committed five turnovers, and ranked last in the league in rushing attempts, prompting questions about whether the run-game and blitz-protection issues might be eased by handing the play sheet to someone else.
So could a change in coaching where Schottenheimer surrenders play-calling duties actually take place?
The practical obstacle is that no ready alternative exists on the staff.
Offensive coordinator Klayton Adams arrives with a background as an offensive-line coach rather than as a coordinator, meaning any transition would place a first-time play-caller into the role only six games into the season.
Even if the personnel side were simpler, Schottenheimer has made clear he has no interest in stepping back.
Appearing on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, he answered the suggestion with a blunt “No, absolutely not.”
That refusal does not signal indifference to the recent slide. Schottenheimer has identified two concrete areas that must improve before the offense can recapture its early form.
First, ball security: the Cowboys sit at minus-4 in the turnover battle, a margin he noted is historically difficult to overcome.
Second, the line of scrimmage and the run game, which he described as “a problem that we’re working very hard to solve and fix.”
The early-season explosiveness has not vanished, he maintains; the last two weeks simply exposed gaps the staff has already begun addressing without altering the core identity of the attack.
With only six games completed, Schottenheimer continues to project confidence in both the personnel and his own role.
“I have incredible confidence in our offense,” he said.
“We have not played well the last two weeks, we have addressed a lot of the reasons why. We haven’t changed who we are. We are still a good explosive offense with weapons. We can hurt you a lot of different ways. I certainly haven’t lost the ability to call plays. I’m an elite play-caller in this league, and it can change around quickly.”
The statement leaves little ambiguity: whatever adjustments the Cowboys make in the coming weeks, they will be made with Schottenheimer still calling the plays.
