Should Dallas Cowboys Supporters Be Hopeful About the Hiring of Brian Schottenheimer?
The Dallas Cowboys have long been a team of high expectations, a franchise with a rich history, but one that has struggled to find sustained success in recent years. With an ever-watchful fanbase and a franchise desperate for a Super Bowl return, every coaching change or player acquisition is met with scrutiny. The hiring of Brian Schottenheimer as the new offensive coordinator is no exception. The question on everyone’s mind: Should Cowboys supporters be hopeful about Schottenheimer’s appointment? In this article, we will delve into his coaching background, the state of the Cowboys offense, the expectations surrounding his role, and whether he is the man to take the team to the next level.
A Look at Brian Schottenheimer’s Coaching Background
Before diving into whether Cowboys fans should be hopeful about Schottenheimer’s hiring, it’s important to understand his coaching history and the path that led him to this position. Schottenheimer has had a long and varied career in the NFL, with stints as both a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator. His coaching career began in 2001 as a coach with the New York Jets, where he worked his way up the ranks to become the team’s offensive coordinator in 2006. During his tenure with the Jets, Schottenheimer oversaw a potent running game and helped lead the team to two AFC Championship appearances in 2009 and 2010.
After his time with the Jets, Schottenheimer spent time with several other NFL teams, including the St. Louis Rams, the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Seattle Seahawks. His most notable time came with the Seahawks, where he helped improve the offense over a period of five seasons, including a Super Bowl appearance in 2015. Despite the Seahawks’ offensive struggles during his final years with the team, Schottenheimer was credited with being part of a system that balanced the pass and run game effectively and gave quarterbacks the tools to succeed.
Schottenheimer’s reputation has often been tied to the idea of building a balanced offensive scheme, focusing on the run game while also integrating the passing attack effectively. He’s known for utilizing an efficient ground game, which relies heavily on a power-run scheme with stretch and zone-blocking principles. He values an adaptable offense that can dictate the pace of the game, control the clock, and provide quarterback stability. His record, while not without some criticisms, shows that he can bring consistency to an offense that has long been plagued by inconsistencies.
The State of the Dallas Cowboys Offense
The Dallas Cowboys are a team with a wealth of offensive talent, but a unit that has been inconsistent at times, particularly in big games. The arrival of Schottenheimer comes at a time when the Cowboys offense is being asked to step up and take the team further into the postseason after a few years of near-misses.
At the heart of the Cowboys offense is quarterback Dak Prescott, who has shown flashes of brilliance but has also been prone to mistakes in critical moments. Prescott’s turnover issues, especially in the 2022 season, have left many questioning his ability to elevate the team when it matters most. His inconsistency has been a factor in the team’s inability to get over the hump and reach the Super Bowl since 1995.
The Cowboys also boast one of the league’s best running backs in Ezekiel Elliott, although his production has dipped in recent years. However, Elliott remains a key piece of the offense, and the Cowboys will likely continue to rely on him for short-yardage situations, red-zone plays, and to help control the tempo of the game. Meanwhile, Tony Pollard, the team’s other running back, has shown explosive playmaking ability and has earned more touches in recent seasons, adding an element of speed and versatility to the backfield.
Additionally, the Cowboys’ receiving corps, highlighted by CeeDee Lamb and veteran receiver Michael Gallup, provides Prescott with the weapons needed to succeed. While the passing game can be explosive at times, it can also struggle with consistency, as demonstrated by the team’s offensive output in the 2022 postseason loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
All of these elements are a good starting point for Schottenheimer to work with. However, he faces the challenge of finding a way to balance the run and pass effectively, avoid turnovers, and put together an offense capable of competing with the best teams in the league. As offensive coordinator, Schottenheimer’s primary objective will be to build a system that plays to the strengths of Prescott and the skill players around him while addressing the team’s weaknesses, such as red-zone efficiency and protecting the football.
What Schottenheimer Brings to the Table
So, what exactly can Cowboys fans expect from Schottenheimer? Here are a few key elements of his coaching style that should inspire both hope and concern.
1. A Balanced Offensive System
One of Schottenheimer’s trademarks as an offensive coordinator is his ability to establish a balanced offense that emphasizes both the run and the pass. As mentioned earlier, Schottenheimer has overseen successful running games in multiple stints throughout his career. His approach should suit the Cowboys, who have strong running backs and an offensive line that can create running lanes. Schottenheimer’s focus on establishing the run early will help create play-action opportunities, which should make Prescott more comfortable and effective.
In theory, this balanced approach will help take some of the pressure off Prescott, allowing him to rely on the run game and reduce the number of risky passes. Schottenheimer should help solidify the Cowboys’ identity on offense, making them more unpredictable and difficult to defend.
2. Quarterback Development
While Schottenheimer is known for his running game, his success with quarterbacks should also be a reason for Cowboys fans to be hopeful. Over the years, Schottenheimer has worked with a variety of quarterbacks, from veterans like Mark Sanchez with the Jets to Russell Wilson with the Seahawks. His ability to tailor an offense to fit the quarterback’s strengths will be important for Dak Prescott, who has shown both promise and inconsistency.
Schottenheimer’s track record of working with quarterbacks in systems that utilize play-action and timing routes should be beneficial to Prescott. If Schottenheimer can help Prescott take better care of the ball and develop more chemistry with his receivers, the Cowboys’ offense will become far more dangerous.
3. Run Game Emphasis
Given the Cowboys’ success when they rely on the run game, Schottenheimer’s experience in emphasizing a strong ground attack should help stabilize the offense. The Cowboys offensive line is still one of the better units in the NFL, and Schottenheimer’s emphasis on the power run game could enable the Cowboys to lean on the run when necessary. A more effective run game will also help control the clock and give the defense more rest, which could be critical in tight playoff games.
4. Managing Expectations and Play Calling
One of the primary concerns about Schottenheimer is his ability to manage expectations and adjust his play-calling in high-pressure situations. While he’s been successful in many places, his critics argue that his play-calling can sometimes become predictable, especially in critical moments. Fans will be watching closely to see if Schottenheimer can handle high-stakes games and manage the Cowboys’ offensive tempo when they’re facing top-tier defenses.
Should Cowboys Fans Be Hopeful?
Ultimately, the answer depends on what Cowboys fans expect from Schottenheimer. If they expect a significant transformation of the offense, they may need to temper their expectations. Schottenheimer is unlikely to revolutionize the Cowboys’ offense overnight. However, he brings with him a level of stability and expertise that should help the Cowboys become a more efficient and well-rounded team.
Schottenheimer’s emphasis on the run game, his ability to develop quarterbacks, and his understanding of how to build an offense around play-action should give fans hope for a more balanced and effective attack. However, his success will depend largely on the development of Prescott and his ability to minimize turnovers, as well as the continued effectiveness of the running game.
The Cowboys’ offensive success under Schottenheimer will also depend on how well he can adjust in high-pressure moments, particularly in the postseason. If Schottenheimer can avoid the mistakes of his past and find ways to improve the offense’s consistency, he could be the key to helping the Cowboys make a deep playoff run.
Final Thoughts
Cowboys fans have every reason to be hopeful about the hiring of Brian Schottenheimer. His extensive experience, particularly with quarterbacks and running games, should provide the foundation for a more balanced and dynamic offense in Dallas. While Schottenheimer is no guarantee of a Super Bowl victory, his appointment marks a promising step forward in addressing the team’s offensive challenges.
Schottenheimer must prove that he can adjust in high-stakes moments, manage Dak Prescott’s development, and orchestrate a consistently efficient offense. If he succeeds in these areas, Cowboys fans could finally see the offense take the next step, leading to more playoff success and perhaps, a championship-contending season.