The Dallas Cowboys hit a new low on Sunday, falling to 3-5 after a shocking home loss to the Arizona Cardinals. While the players are rallying around their coach, one longtime team analyst says the real problem is the man in charge—and his oversized ego.
Bryan Broaddus, a veteran Cowboys analyst, didn't mince words when assessing Brian Schottenheimer's performance. According to Broaddus, Schottenheimer's desire to be recognized as an elite playcaller—like Sean McVay, Kyle Shanahan, or Ben Johnson—is clouding his judgment and hurting the team.
"Frankly, he's not one of those guys," Broaddus said. "I don't think that plays very well with what he's got right now. He doesn't do anything to always take advantage of his weapons. I think he's caught between wanting to run the ball and be one of these elite playcallers."
The numbers back up the criticism. Since taking over as head coach, Schottenheimer has managed only one winning streak of two or more games. Sunday's loss to the Cardinals—a team that came in with just one win—was the latest example of a squad that looks unprepared and uninspired.
Quarterback Dak Prescott, however, refuses to throw his coach under the bus. "It's all of us," Prescott said via the team's website. "Don't put the blame on one person. Simple as that. I think that's weak. I think that's cowardice. This game is about all 11 that touch the field and every person that has a part in it coaches and support staff. It's never just one person's fault. Even if I go out there and throw a bunch of interceptions, it's never just truly one person's fault. And so, don't take the easy and cheap way out. This is about us and it's about us backing him up and backing one another up and we'll have to show it."
But Broaddus isn't buying the solidarity. He argues that Schottenheimer's ego is preventing him from putting the Cowboys in the best position to win each Sunday. Instead of tailoring the game plan to his roster's strengths, Schottenheimer is trying to prove he belongs in the conversation with the NFL's offensive masterminds.
The tension has some fans calling for drastic action, including a fan boycott movement against owner Jerry Jones. Jones, for his part, has publicly backed Schottenheimer after a crushing overtime loss earlier this season, but patience is wearing thin in Dallas.
Adding to the chaos, the Cowboys have been a soap opera off the field. A recent lip reader revealed Jones' expletive-laced reaction to another heartbreaking defeat, and Micah Parsons' brother won't let the team forget a controversial trade. All of it only amplifies the spotlight on Schottenheimer's every decision.
For now, the Cowboys are stuck in neutral, and the finger-pointing is only beginning. If Schottenheimer can't check his ego at the door and start coaching to his players' strengths, the 2025 season could spiral even further out of control.
