Jerry Jones Demands Answers After Brian Schottenheimer Owns Cowboys’ Costly Mistakes: ‘I Messed Up’ 1
Jerry Jones made clear that accountability alone could not explain how the Dallas Cowboys squandered their opportunity to beat the Baltimore Ravens. The Cowboys owner wanted an evaluation of the mistakes and assurances that they would not happen again.
Before Jones delivered that public challenge, coach Brian Schottenheimer had already confronted his team. He walked to the lectern during a meeting and acknowledged that his decisions contributed to the 34-31 loss in Rio de Janeiro.
Brian Schottenheimer Holds Himself to Cowboys’ Standard
Schottenheimer’s opening message was effectively that he had messed up, according to ESPN’s reporting from people inside the meeting. The wording was a paraphrase rather than a direct quotation, but his larger point was clear.
If Schottenheimer expected players to accept responsibility for their mistakes, he had to apply the same standard to himself. One person in the room characterized his approach as an example of a leader operating from the front.
Brian Schottenheimer and Jerry JonesBrian Schottenheimer and Jerry Jones
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The meeting followed a series of breakdowns during the final 28 seconds against Baltimore. Dallas reached first-and-goal at the Ravens’ 2-yard line with 23 seconds remaining and one timeout.
A false start moved the Cowboys backward. Dak Prescott then scrambled on second down before Dallas used its final timeout, leaving 14 seconds for a third-and-goal play.
NFL: Super Bowl LX-NFL Honors Red CarpetNFL: Super Bowl LX-NFL Honors Red Carpet
Jerry Jones on the NFL Honors Red Carpet before Super Bowl LX at Palace of Fine Arts. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Schottenheimer later said he “overcoached” Prescott by giving him instructions that placed the quarterback in an unfamiliar mindset. Prescott quickly threw the ball away, forcing Dallas to settle for Brandon Aubrey’s tying 23-yard field goal.
“I make a lot of mistakes,” Schottenheimer told reporters. “I’m certainly not perfect. … I hurt our chance to win that game, and I’ll be better.”
ESPN reported that Cowboys players responded positively to Schottenheimer’s private admission and turned their attention toward their game against the Houston Texans. His message accepted responsibility without shifting the blame to Prescott or another part of the team.
Jerry Jones Says Cowboys Have No Satisfying Explanation
Aubrey’s field goal left seven seconds on the clock, but his ensuing kickoff went through the end zone for a touchback. Baltimore received the ball at its 35-yard line without losing any time.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry JonesDallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones
Sep 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones looks on before the game against the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Lamar Jackson completed a 27-yard pass to Zay Flowers, setting up Tyler Loop’s winning 56-yard field goal. Schottenheimer also acknowledged communication failures surrounding the kickoff and Dallas’ final defensive call.
Jones addressed the ending Tuesday during his appearance on 105.3 The Fan.
“They don’t have one that they’re satisfied with,” Jones said. “We made mistakes during that time. There’s no question about it. So there is no explanation.”
Jones did not publicly question Schottenheimer’s job security or reject his decision to accept responsibility. His message was that taking ownership of the failure could not replace identifying its causes.
Schottenheimer demonstrated accountability by standing before his players and acknowledging his role in the loss. Whether that moment produces meaningful change will become clear the next time the Cowboys must manage a game in its final seconds.
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