In case you’ve been living under a rock, the Dallas Cowboys just hired Brian Schottenheimer as their new head coach. First off, I’m thrilled they didn’t decide to bring back Mike McCarthy. While many point to his “winning record,” that wasn’t the reason he was hired. Dallas has had plenty of coaches with “winning records.” McCarthy’s goal was to get the team to the Super Bowl—or at the very least, to the NFC Championship Game. However, he consistently fell short against playoff-caliber teams, with the most embarrassing failure coming last year against the Green Bay Packers.
My biggest gripe with McCarthy’s playoff teams wasn’t a lack of talent—they were clearly talented. The issue was that they were both “soft” and unprepared. Silly penalties killed momentum or gifted opponents short-yardage situations. On top of that, the players often looked overwhelmed—like deer in headlights. It was disheartening to see, especially given that Dallas had stars like Zack Martin and Tyron Smith healthy for those games.
The Brian Schottenheimer Hiring
Now, let’s talk about the hiring itself. This feels like a classic Jerry Jones move: choosing comfort over chasing the top available options. While I can understand the sentiment to some degree, if Jerry was serious about winning, he would have gone all out and hired Deion Sanders. But let’s be honest—Jerry’s ego is too big to let someone as charismatic and high-profile as Sanders outshine him. Even if it’s Prime Time, Jones wants the spotlight.
There’s also valid criticism about the Cowboys’ hiring process. Bringing in someone that no other team was seriously interviewing seems questionable at best—and a mockery of the Rooney Rule at worst. It’s clear the Cowboys didn’t truly intend to interview anyone seriously, which is a shame. A wider search could have introduced fresh ideas and insights on how to improve.
As it stands, the Cowboys risk becoming the punchline of the NFC East now that Dan Snyder is gone. The Commanders seem to be trending upward, especially after Jayden Daniels’ incredible rookie season. I didn’t think he’d beat Philly with that roster, but he did. It was an impressive run. At least Dallas fans can take solace in the fact that the Giants are still in the division. For now, I’m cautiously optimistic about the Cowboys’ chances.
Can Dallas Make the Playoffs in 2025?
Surprisingly, I think Dallas can turn things around quickly. If we look objectively at the 2024 season, they weren’t far off from making the playoffs—despite playing with a backup quarterback and losing Micah Parsons for a significant stretch. Had they won against the Bengals and the Commanders, they would’ve finished 9–7 and had an outside shot at the playoffs.
The bigger issue, however, is finding additional wins. Games like the Ravens and Falcons matchups weren’t as close as the final scores suggested. But if Dallas commits to Marty-ball under Schottenheimer, they could change the narrative. For starters, they should draft Ashton Jeanty.
Why Ashton Jeanty Could Be the Key
I firmly believe that if Jeanty is Dallas’s first-round pick in 2025, they’ll make the playoffs. Here’s why: drafting Jeanty would force the Cowboys to rely less on Dak Prescott and allow other wide receivers—not named CeeDee Lamb—to get open. Look at how Saquon Barkley hides some of the flaws in Jalen Hurts and Philadelphia’s passing game. A dominant running back can elevate an entire offense, and Dallas could experience a similar transformation.
The most common critique from draft pundits is that picking a running back in the first round isn’t impactful, especially since Dallas has “a lot of holes” to fill. But let’s be honest—those pundits don’t know what they’re talking about. Take a look at the top four teams in the conference championships. What did they all have in common (besides the Chiefs with Mahomes)? A strong running game.
Washington’s turnaround proves that even a team with major weaknesses can make significant strides. Their defense, pegged as the “worst” in the league at the start of the season, carried them to the NFC Championship Game. Yes, their inability to stop the run ultimately cost them against the league’s top running back, but their run still underscores how one player can make a difference.
The Importance of Drafting Smart
Draft “experts” also argue that this year’s running back class is deep, so Dallas should prioritize other positions. To that, I say: look at the Cowboys’ recent draft history. Poor drafting in the last two years has contributed heavily to their current struggles. When Dallas hits on draft picks—like Micah Parsons, CeeDee Lamb, Ezekiel Elliott, Dak Prescott, and Tyron Smith—the results are undeniable.
Now imagine Dallas with a running back like Barkley, rushing for close to 2,000 yards. That would take enormous pressure off Dak, allowing him to play to his strengths: thriving with a solid running game. Dak struggled before his injury last season, and the lack of a 100-yard rusher in every game was a big reason why. Unless you have an elite defense or a top-tier passing game (and Dallas has neither), you need a reliable run game to win consistently.
Predictions for 2025
Here’s my prediction for the upcoming season:
- If Dallas drafts Ashton Jeanty: They’ll make the playoffs but likely exit early—probably in the second round.
- If Dallas doesn’t draft Ashton Jeanty: They won’t make the playoffs, and we’ll be counting down the days until the next head coach or ownership change. Nothing will improve under Jerry Jones and his family’s leadership without significant change.
Dallas has a chance to prove the doubters wrong. But if they play it safe in the draft or fail to address their fundamental issues, it’ll be another year of frustration for Cowboys fans.
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