The Dallas Cowboys, one of the most storied franchises in NFL history, are once again under intense scrutiny as their 2023 season continues to unravel. What was supposed to be a year of redemption and championship contention has instead devolved into a chaotic mess, with fans and analysts alike pointing fingers at the coaching staff—particularly offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. The calls for Schottenheimer’s job have grown louder with each underwhelming performance, and the frustration among the Cowboys faithful has reached a boiling point.
The Cowboys entered the season with high expectations. Dak Prescott was healthy, the receiving corps led by CeeDee Lamb looked explosive, and the defense, under Dan Quinn, was expected to be one of the league’s best. Yet, through the first half of the season, the offense has been inconsistent at best and downright anemic at worst. The blame has largely fallen on Schottenheimer, whose play-calling has been criticized as predictable, uninspired, and poorly suited to the talent at his disposal.
One of the most glaring issues has been the Cowboys’ inability to establish a consistent running game. Despite having one of the best offensive lines in football and a dynamic back in Tony Pollard, the ground attack has been stagnant. Schottenheimer’s play designs often fail to create lanes for Pollard, and his insistence on running into stacked boxes has left fans scratching their heads. The lack of creativity in the run game has put even more pressure on Prescott, who has been forced to carry the offense through the air—a strategy that has backfired when opposing defenses key in on the pass.
Speaking of Prescott, his performance has been a microcosm of the Cowboys’ offensive struggles. While he has had moments of brilliance, he has also been turnover-prone, and some of that can be attributed to Schottenheimer’s system. The offensive scheme has frequently left Prescott in obvious passing situations, making it easier for defenses to disguise coverages and generate pressure. The Cowboys’ red-zone efficiency has also been a disaster, ranking near the bottom of the league. Too often, drives that should end in touchdowns stall out, forcing Dallas to settle for field goals—a recurring issue that has cost them games.
The misuse of personnel has been another major point of contention. CeeDee Lamb, one of the most dynamic receivers in the NFL, has been relegated to far too many short, horizontal routes that don’t maximize his playmaking ability. Meanwhile, Brandin Cooks, a proven deep threat, has been underutilized in a system that should be stretching defenses vertically. Tight end Jake Ferguson has shown flashes, but Schottenheimer’s offense hasn’t consistently featured him in ways that could exploit mismatches. The lack of imagination in getting the ball to playmakers has made the Cowboys’ offense far too easy to defend.
Perhaps the most damning indictment of Schottenheimer’s tenure has been the team’s performance in critical moments. In close games, the Cowboys’ offense has repeatedly failed to deliver when it matters most. Whether it’s a crucial third-down play or a must-score drive in the fourth quarter, Schottenheimer’s play-calling has often been conservative and lacking in urgency. The Week 6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles was a prime example—despite having multiple opportunities to put the game away, the Cowboys’ offense sputtered when it mattered most, leading to yet another heartbreaking defeat.
Fans have had enough. Social media is flooded with demands for Schottenheimer’s firing, and the pressure on head coach Mike McCarthy to make a change is mounting. McCarthy, who handed over play-calling duties to Schottenheimer this season, now faces a critical decision: stick with his offensive coordinator and risk the season slipping away, or make a bold move to salvage what’s left of the year. Some have even suggested that McCarthy should take back play-calling duties himself, as he did during his time with the Green Bay Packers.
The Cowboys’ front office, led by Jerry Jones, has remained publicly supportive of Schottenheimer—for now. But Jones is not known for his patience, especially when the team is underperforming. If the offensive struggles continue, it’s only a matter of time before changes are made. The Cowboys have too much talent to waste another season, and with the NFC wide open, there’s still time to turn things around. But that turnaround likely can’t happen with Schottenheimer at the helm.
The bigger question is: who could replace him? If the Cowboys do move on from Schottenheimer, they would need an offensive coordinator who can modernize the offense, maximize Prescott’s strengths, and bring creativity to a unit that has looked stale. Names like Frank Reich or even an internal promotion of quarterbacks coach Scott Tolzien have been floated as possibilities. Whatever the solution, it’s clear that the status quo isn’t working.
The Cowboys’ problems aren’t solely on Schottenheimer, of course. The offensive line has dealt with injuries, Prescott has made his share of mistakes, and the defense—while strong—has had lapses in key moments. But in the NFL, the offensive coordinator is often the first to take the fall when a talented team underachieves. Right now, Schottenheimer is the obvious scapegoat, and unless things change dramatically, his days in Dallas may be numbered.
For a franchise with championship aspirations, mediocrity is unacceptable. The Cowboys’ fan base, one of the most passionate in sports, deserves better. If Schottenheimer can’t turn things around quickly, Jerry Jones and Mike McCarthy will have no choice but to make a change. Because in Dallas, it’s Super Bowl or bust—and right now, this team looks miles away from contending.
