The Dallas Cowboys promoted Brian Schottenheimer from offensive coordinator to head coach after Mike McCarthy's fifth and final season with the team. The 2024 season finished with a 7-10 record (49-35 overall under the former Green Bay Packers coach) after an injury-riddled campaign.
Dak Prescott suffered a season-ending hamstring injury, which ruined any playoff hopes they had. Brandin Cooks, Jake Ferguson and Zack Martin, on offense, also missed time. Micah Parsons also dealt with issues, while DeMarvion Overshown, Trevon Diggs and Sam Williams also suffered season-ending injuries.
Having all these players back should elevate the Cowboys' level of performance. They are under a new regime, added new pieces in free agency, the draft and via trade. Dallas has a boosted squad ahead of a competitive term that will have their divisional rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles, as the team to beat.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) greets offensive tackle Tyron Smith (77).
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) greets offensive tackle Tyron Smith (77).
Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
As disputed as his signing was, Schottenheimer is bringing a spark to the Cowboys' locker room. Former wide receiver Isaiah Stanback, who played 10 games in two seasons with the Cowboys (2007 and 2008), shared his excitement about the culture the 51-year-old coach is instilling.
"They're healthy, but more than anything, that man that you see right there, 'Schotty,' he has stepped in and created a new culture and these guys are having fun," Stanback said during Friday's edition of "Good Morning Football". "When you look around the building, these guys are laughing, when you look around the building, these guys are playing around. When you look around the building, you have coaches jumping up and down, almost like you have a college culture.
"And it is a college culture, because 'Schotty' came from the Pete Carroll lineage and that is the environment that he's bringing. These guys are having fun again and that is why the Cowboys are going to be completely different than what they've been in the past."
Time will tell if Schottenheimer makes them play better than last year, but a lot of things suggest the Cowboys have renewed expectations. Even Micah Parsons, who has yet to sign his new contract, was in the facilities to prepare for the 2025 season.