Seth Rollins’ Future Plans Will SHOCK You!
Brian Schottenheimer didn’t hold back when discussing how he once struggled with head coaches observing his coordinator meetings. The Dallas Cowboys’ first-year coach said that such moments used to feel intrusive. Now that he’s on the other side of the equation, he’s handling it differently with Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.
Schottenheimer, who led Dallas’ offense from 2020 through 2024, took over after Mike McCarthy’s dismissal in January. McCarthy’s tenure produced three playoff appearances but no NFC championship berths, leading to a leadership shake-up. The Cowboys handed the reins to Schottenheimer.
The Athletic’s Jon Machota shared the coach’s remarks on X after his Wednesday session with reporters. Dallas has a 3-4-1 record and the NFL’s worst defense.
“I give (Matt Eberflus) a ton of credit,” Schottenheimer said. “Having been a coordinator, having had head coaches come sit in my meetings and stuff, you don’t like it. I took it personal. ‘Why are you in my meeting?’ Flus has not been like that at all.”
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Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said he has spent a “significant amount more” time in defensive meetings compared to the start of the season. “That’s to help. It’s not to get in the way.” “I give (DC Matt Eberflus) a ton of credit. Having been a coordinator, having had head
Schottenheimer added that he’s been spending more time with the defense lately, not to interfere, but to lend support.
Brian Schottenheimer vows changes after defense collapses in Denver
Dallas’ 44-24 loss to Denver on Sunday revealed flaws in its structure: mental errors, blown coverages and lack of physicality. Bo Nix and the Broncos shredded the Cowboys for 268 first-half yards and four touchdowns.
After the defeat, Brian Schottenheimer addressed the media from Frisco, promising tangible adjustments ahead. He noted that significant changes, both in personnel and scheme, would come following the upcoming bye week. Dallas will host the Arizona Cardinals on Monday before entering the reset period.
“I just say that because we’ve got Arizona before the bye and, really, bigger changes to our style will happen over the bye week,” Schottenheimer told reporters on Wednesday.
“That’s when we get a chance to say, ‘OK, now we’re looking back at nine games. What were those issues, and did we get them corrected?’ No? Well, now we need to do this and we need to do that.”
The coach hinted at revisiting rotations and playing time across several positions. Statistically, the Cowboys remain elite on offense, but those numbers ring hollow with a losing record.
Dak Prescott is having an efficient season, completing 70.3% of his passes for 2,096 yards, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Frisco, Texas – October 30, 2025
It was a Sunday afternoon that Dallas Cowboys fans would rather forget. A 44–24 blowout at the hands of the Denver Broncos exposed a franchise at a crossroads. Mental errors, blown coverages, and a defense seemingly absent in the first half left Bo Nix and the Broncos carving up the Cowboys for 268 yards and four touchdowns before halftime. The result? A defense that has now earned the unenviable label of the NFL’s worst unit this season, and a locker room atmosphere thick with tension.
For head coach Brian Schottenheimer, the loss was more than just a scoreboard blight; it was a moment of reckoning. “I just say that because we’ve got Arizona before the bye and, really, bigger changes to our style will happen over the bye week,” Schottenheimer told reporters from the Cowboys’ facility in Frisco on Wednesday. “That’s when we get a chance to say, ‘OK, now we’re looking back at nine games. What were those issues, and did we get them corrected? No? Well, now we need to do this and we need to do that.’”
The Dallas offense has performed efficiently, led by quarterback Dak Prescott, who is completing 70.3% of his passes for 2,096 yards, 16 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. On paper, those numbers are elite. But the Cowboys sit at 3-4-1, and the stark contrast between offensive production and defensive collapse has made for sleepless nights in Frisco.
Schottenheimer Reflects on His Own Experience
Brian Schottenheimer’s approach to the current defensive struggles is steeped in empathy. Having been a coordinator himself from 2020 through 2024, Schottenheimer knows the sting of being scrutinized by a head coach during coordinator meetings. “Having been a coordinator, having had head coaches come sit in my meetings and stuff, you don’t like it. I took it personal,” he admitted.
Now on the other side of the equation, Schottenheimer is consciously taking a different approach with defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. “I give Flus a ton of credit,” Schottenheimer said. “Flus has not been like that at all. I’ve been spending more time with the defense lately, not to interfere, but to lend support. That’s to help. It’s not to get in the way.”
For Eberflus, the head coach’s involvement is welcomed rather than resented. Sources from within the Cowboys’ defensive staff suggest that Schottenheimer’s presence has helped maintain focus and accountability while also allowing the coordinator to implement structural changes without feeling micromanaged.
Fan Reactions: Frustration Meets Hope
The Cowboys’ fanbase has been vocal in the aftermath of the Denver loss. Online forums, social media, and comment threads have been a mixture of outrage, disbelief, and cautious optimism.
One fan on X wrote:
“We’ve got the best offense in the league but the defense is straight up embarrassing. If Schotty doesn’t fix this over the bye week, this season is toast.”
Another fan noted the silver lining:
“I like that Brian’s getting hands-on. Eberflus knows his stuff, and if Schotty’s guidance helps tighten up rotations and assignments, we might salvage this season.”
The consensus among most observers is that the Cowboys are at a critical juncture: either make bold adjustments during the bye week or risk watching a talented roster underperform for the rest of 2025.
The Defensive Breakdown
Statistically, the Cowboys’ defense has struggled across the board. Rushing defense is porous, allowing over 140 yards per game on the ground, while passing coverage is inconsistent, giving up deep completions in critical situations. Turnovers, which could help compensate for structural deficiencies, are rare, leaving the unit vulnerable when the offense is forced into high-pressure scenarios.
In the loss to Denver, specific breakdowns were glaring:
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Linebackers were late diagnosing run-pass options, leaving gaps that Bo Nix exploited repeatedly.
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Cornerbacks failed to maintain leverage on outside routes, leading to big gains on the edges.
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Defensive line rotations appeared stagnant, reducing pass-rush pressure and giving Nix extra time to pick apart the secondary.
Veteran defensive end Myles Garrett, in post-game interviews, hinted at frustration without assigning blame. “We’ve got talent,” he said. “We just need to put it together, communicate better, and hold ourselves accountable every snap. The pieces are there — now we’ve got to execute.”
Schottenheimer’s Planned Adjustments
Schottenheimer has promised tangible changes over the bye week, hinting at adjustments in both personnel and scheme. League insiders speculate that several defensive starters could see reduced playing time if performance doesn’t improve. Rotation changes are expected, particularly among the linebackers and secondary, where mental errors have been most costly.
Additionally, Schottenheimer is exploring hybrid schemes to compensate for mismatches against high-powered offenses. Analysts suggest that the Cowboys could incorporate more zone blitzes, mix man-coverage disguises, and occasionally employ nickel and dime formations to increase versatility against modern spread offenses.
“Brian’s not going to just tinker,” said a Cowboys insider. “He’s planning structural changes that could reshape this defense, but he also wants to maintain Eberflus’ philosophy. It’s about evolution, not revolution.”
The Pressure on the Offense
While the defensive woes dominate headlines, Prescott and the offense are not immune to scrutiny. Observers note that a top-tier offense without a complementary defense is not sustainable, even with elite efficiency metrics.
Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb has expressed concern about the balance between the units. “We’re scoring points, but we can’t keep giving up 40 every week,” Lamb said. “We need the defense to step up. That’s the only way this team can be truly competitive.”
Player Quotes Highlight Locker Room Mood
Inside the Cowboys’ locker room, there’s an intense sense of urgency. Players have recognized the need for accountability.
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Micah Parsons, linebacker and defensive leader, emphasized the mental aspect: “It’s on us to fix it. We can’t blame schemes or rotations. We have to make plays. That’s the standard in Dallas.”
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Tyler Guyton, the rookie offensive tackle who previously faced discipline for a sideline incident, acknowledged the team-wide impact of losing games decisively: “When the defense gives up plays like that, it affects everyone. We’ve got to support each other and make corrections together.”
The locker room sentiment is clear: the Cowboys are determined to turn the tide, but the margin for error is shrinking.
Looking Ahead: Bye Week as a Reset
The upcoming bye week is seen as a crucial opportunity to reset. Schottenheimer plans to:
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Analyze film extensively to pinpoint repeated breakdowns.
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Adjust player rotations, particularly in the linebacker corps and secondary.
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Implement modified schemes designed to mask weaknesses and leverage speed and athleticism.
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Focus on mental preparation, ensuring players are confident in their assignments and reactive in high-pressure scenarios.
Analysts note that teams with elite offensive talent rarely succeed long-term if their defense cannot provide stability. For Dallas, the bye week represents a chance to salvage the season, and perhaps lay the groundwork for a late-season playoff push.
Fan Sentiment Ahead of Arizona
The Cowboys host the Arizona Cardinals in a post-bye matchup that could define the trajectory of 2025. Fans are cautiously optimistic, hoping the combination of Schottenheimer’s oversight and Eberflus’ experience yields tangible improvements.
“If we see even minor improvement against Arizona, I’ll believe this defense can right itself,” one season-ticket holder wrote.
“We can’t afford another Denver-style debacle. The bye week has to be the turning point.”
The Big Picture
Dallas’ offensive metrics paint a picture of efficiency: high completion rates, low turnovers, and explosive yardage. Yet football is inherently complementary, and without a reliable defense, those numbers are ultimately hollow. The pressure on Schottenheimer, Eberflus, and the defensive unit has never been higher.
As Week 10 approaches, the NFL community will be watching Dallas closely. Will Schottenheimer’s adjustments over the bye week transform a struggling defense into a competent, playoff-ready unit? Can the Cowboys reconcile elite offense with defensive inefficiency to contend in the NFC?
Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: the Cowboys’ 2025 season hinges on rapid transformation and accountability, and the stakes could not be higher for a franchise chasing both respect and playoff success.
