DALLAS — There will be a different way of doing things at The Star with new coach Brian Schottenheimer.
How it works out will probably determine if he’ll be around awhile.
As the team works through offseason OTAs, Schottenheimer has made it clear — the Cowboys are not a one-man show.
Every player, including veteran quarterback Dak Prescott, has room for development.
Recent headlines and social media posts have focused on Schottenheimer’s remarks about Prescott being in a “developmental phase.”
Some outlets and fans interpreted this as a slight against the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback, but the reality is more nuanced.
Schottenheimer’s comments were directed at the entire quarterback room, not just Prescott.
“They all are,” he said. “I mean, Dak is in the developmental phase and that sounds crazy for a guy that’s played that much but like there’s things that we’re tweaking with Dak, so I don’t think it’s just for Joe [Milton]”.
This approach is not about diminishing Prescott’s achievements but about maintaining a growth mindset for all players, regardless of experience.
“The minute these quarterbacks think that they figured it all out that’s when it’s probably time for them to think about doing something different because the way defenses attack in this league it makes it almost impossible to ever relax,” Schottenheimer said.
Schottenheimer’s coaching philosophy is rooted in intentionality and teamwork.
He has emphasized the importance of building relationships within the quarterback room, drawing on past experiences with both young and veteran players.
“I’ve had young starters and veteran backups, I’ve had veteran starters and young backups,” Schottenheimer said. “The quarterback position is the position that gets so much scrutiny that you’re always trying to place an emphasis on are they getting better, are they being consistent, are they doing the things that they need to do.”
He’s also trying to improve communication between quarterbacks and receivers, especially as new additions like George Pickens integrate into the offense.
Schottenheimer describes this as the “me to you factor,” stressing that trust and understanding are built both on and off the field.
“It’s over time and it’s not just time on the field,” he said. “It’s not just extra reps—it’s time away from the field, it’s time in the film room, it’s time at dinner.”
While some have speculated that Schottenheimer’s comments signal a lack of confidence in Prescott, the coach clarified that the team is simply refining aspects of the quarterback’s game.
For example, adjustments are being made to Prescott’s cadence to ensure consistency among all quarterbacks, especially as new linemen join the roster.
“The biggest thing with the cadence I will tell you is getting a guy like Joe [Milton] and now you got new linemen is getting all the quarterbacks to kind of sound the same,” Schottenheimer said.
Prescott, who finished as runner-up for NFL MVP just over a year ago, remains a central figure in the Cowboys’ plans.
Despite the noise, Schottenheimer and the coaching staff are committed to building around his strengths while encouraging ongoing improvement.
Beyond the quarterback position, Schottenheimer is instilling a culture of competition and intentionality throughout the roster.
The team is experimenting with different offensive line combinations, and Schottenheimer has praised the intensity and effort he’s seen during OTAs.
“We’re going to be an attacking unit,” Schottenheimer said. “The effort and the intensity of everybody when the ball is thrown from the quarterback or the runner breaks free. That’s the standard and we’re going to uphold that standard.”
Veterans and newcomers alike are buying into this approach, with players like Tyler Booker and Tyler Guyton drawing positive reviews for their offseason work ethic.
As the Cowboys continue their offseason preparations, Schottenheimer’s message is clear. He’s counting on success coming from collective effort, adaptability, and a commitment to constant improvement.
We’ll see how that works out going forward. In other words, he doesn’t want an injury to one player to de-rail an entire season.
“The system is going to be built on what we do well,” Schottenheimer said. “What we’re building here is something that I truly believe in and that most of these players that we have.
“They believe in it — or if they don’t believe in it yet. Hopefully them seeing my conviction makes them buy in.”
So now fans can hang their hats on hope going forward with the Cowboys? That’s been the plan now for about 30 years, it seems.
It hasn’t worked yet.