The Dallas Cowboys are sitting at a dismal 2-4 this 2026 season, and after a brutal loss to the Green Bay Packers, the heat on offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer is absolutely scorching. This team, playing in what’s supposed to be the NFL’s easiest division, is already behind both the Giants and the Eagles in the NFC East standings. And get this: Eagles QB Jalen Hurts is likely out for the rest of the 2026 season, yet Dallas still can’t get it together. What in the world is going on down there?
The Schottenheimer Era Is Crushing Dallas’ Hopes
Let’s just look at the numbers. Since Brian Schottenheimer took over from Mike McCarthy as head coach before the 2025 season, the Cowboys are a shocking 10-13. That’s not a misprint. A 2-4 start to 2026 is just the latest in a string of mediocrity. You’d think with a record like that, and coming off an “uninspiring loss” against a historical rival like the Packers, there’d be some serious reflection, right? Nope. Not from the top, apparently. On Monday, Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones was grilled about his confidence in Schottenheimer. His answer? He and owner/GM Jerry Jones “absolutely” believe in Schottenheimer, the coaching staff, and the players. “There’s not any question in Jerry and my mind,” Jones reportedly told 105.3 The Fan. He’s saying Schottenheimer “has the team,” and they just need to “continue to evolve and get to a point where we can win these football games.” “Evolve” after 10-13? Are you kidding me? Jones admits it’s “very disappointing” and “frustrated,” but keeps repeating that they’ve “got a lot of football to play.” Talk about a lack of urgency.
An Offense Completely Lost in Lambeau
Okay, so let’s talk about the actual play on the field, because it’s rough. The Cowboys’ offense had arguably its worst game of the season against the Packers. And that’s saying something, considering they laid an absolute egg in Week 5 against the previously winless Buccaneers. For a second straight week, Dallas’ offense was held under 20 points. They hit season lows with a measly 13 points, just 303 total yards, and a pathetic 48 yards rushing. They coughed up the ball twice and converted only 5-of-13 on third down. Schottenheimer, according to the report, “had no answer for what the Packers were doing defensively.” Meanwhile, their “much-malgined defense,” which recently added former NFL head coach Mike Pettine as a senior advisor, actually “showed signs of growth.” So the defense is trying, but the offense is straight up abandoning them. Quarterback Dak Prescott’s night was just plain weird, too. He was “alarmingly casual late in the game” when they were down by double digits, showing “no interest in throwing deep.” His longest completion was 21 yards, and he averaged less than five yards per pass attempt. The only “sense of urgency” he showed was his “hasty postgame exit from Lambeau Field.” Prescott himself said it’s “very frustrating” to not get going, to not execute their answers, and “only leaving the game with 13 points.” He knows they “got to fix it,” but with Jones backing the OC, what’s actually gonna change?
This team has “resolve,” Stephen Jones says. But they sure didn’t show it on Sunday night. With a 2-4 record, and the offensive coordinator seemingly untouchable despite a truly dismal performance from his unit, the Cowboys have to figure out how to “fix it” fast if they want to stop this skid.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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