Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer sends telling message to critics ahead of Eagles game
The Dallas Cowboys lost 24-16 at home to a Tampa Bay team that arrived 0-4 and was starting an undrafted rookie quarterback, then lost 23-13 at Green Bay on Sunday night. Brian Schottenheimer, who calls the plays in addition to running the team, met with reporters Thursday and was asked how he is handling the criticism that has followed the 2-4 start.
Oct 8, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
“Brian Schottenheimer has broken one of the greatest offenses (statistically speaking) in Dallas Cowboys franchise history,” RJ Ochoa of Blogging the Boys wrote on X after the loss in Green Bay.
Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones publicly backed the coach this week, and Schottenheimer said Monday he did not need the support.
“I think it comes with the territory. I think some of it is deserved. We got to play better. I got to coach better. When you grow up in a family that your dad is a head coach for over 20 years, you understand that this is part of the job description. No one likes it. I block out most of it. Some of it gets to me. Doing this job and having to speak to you guys is part of that. But at the same time, I’ve got strong shoulders. I know what a great coach I am. I know what this team is capable of. That’s what I focus on,” Schottenheimer said.
His father, Marty Schottenheimer, was an NFL head coach for 21 years with the Browns, Chiefs, Washington and Chargers, so the line about the job description comes from a household that lived it.
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer on dealing with the criticism he’s been receiving: “I think it comes with the territory. I think some of it is deserved. We got to play better. I got to coach better. When you grow up in a family that your dad is a head coach for over 20 years, you understand that this is part of the job description.
“No one likes it. I block out most of it. Some of it gets to me. Doing this job and having to speak to you guys is part of that. But at the same time, I’ve got strong shoulders. I know what a great coach I am. I know what this team is capable of. That’s what I focus on.”
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) October 22, 2026
Why the offense is where Schottenheimer’s claim gets tested
Dallas averaged 30.5 points through its first four games, with Schottenheimer in his second season as head coach and primary play-caller. The last two games produced 14.5 points per game and five turnovers, and at Lambeau Field the Cowboys ran 15 times for 48 yards while throwing 54 passes.
“We’ve put ourselves behind in games. The last two games, we’ve been playing second-half catch-up, if you will. And when you play second-half catch-up, it’s going to affect a lot of things. It’s going to affect your rushing attempts. It’s going to affect how many times teams can blitz you and pressure you,” Schottenheimer said Monday.
Sep 25, 2026; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer reacts at press conference at the Clube de Regatas do Flamengo training ground. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
His record across two seasons now stands at 9-13-1, counting a 7-9-1 finish in 2025. Public confidence from a head coach is part of the job he described, and nobody should expect him to sound any other way in public. The better measure is the scoreboard, where an offense that averaged 30.5 points through four games has fallen by more than half over the next two.
Philadelphia comes in at 2-4 as well, on a four-game losing streak and without Jalen Hurts, who is on injured reserve. Monday night at Lincoln Financial Field, at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN, is the first chance for the offense Schottenheimer calls to back up what he said about the coach calling it.
The post Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer sends telling message to critics ahead of Eagles game appeared first on Gridiron Heroics.
Source: sports.yahoo.com — article syndicated from the publisher’s feed; all rights remain with the original publisher.