The Dallas Cowboys are yet to make a key decision on who gets to wear the ‘green dot.’ Traditionally, the responsibility falls on the inside linebacker, often nicknamed "the quarterback of the defense."

Previously, under DC Matt Eberflus, the green dot was worn by Kenneth Murray. According to Todd Brock of Cowboys Wire, HC Brian Schottenheimer, however, has offered little clarity on who will be the on-field signal-caller relaying the coach’s calls this season.

"The biggest thing I would say about that is we're going to train so many people in the green dot that we're going to find out who's comfortable doing it," Schottenheimer said during the rookie minicamp. "It might be [Overshown], it might be Jalen Thompson, it might be Dee Winters, it might be whoever.”

Schottenheimer teased the media that he already has a favorite in mind, but chose not to reveal it. He reasoned that the team would continue experimenting with different fits for the role before making a final decision. 

"At the end of the day, communication comes down to not just the green dot, but the entire defense," Schottenheimer said. "If we were playing a game this week, I could not tell you who is going to be the green dot, but we're not playing a game for a while, so we've got time."

A starting inside linebacker typically handles the 'green-dot' role, but the Cowboys haven't given clear starter DeMarvion Overshown that responsibility yet. 

But as noted by Mike Moraitis of Si.com, adding a rookie to that role comes with obvious risks. That is something the Cowboys must keep in mind, in case they are looking forward to having Caleb Downs wearing it.

While the Cowboys continue evaluating multiple options for the role, Schottenheimer has hinted that names like Dee Winters and Jalen Thompson are firmly in the mix.

Cowboys Eye Multiple Candidates for Defensive Signal-Caller

According to Tommy Yarrish and Patrick Walker's recent mailbag posted by the DallasCowboys.com, Jalen Thompson brings the necessary 'intellect and versatility' to take up the role of the green-dot bearer.

But they also noted that using a safety as the green dot is 'too risky to try and execute on a snap-to-snap basis’. It would be more prudent to keep the middle linebacker (MIKE) as a green dot at all times, as ‘it's a central position on the defense'.

Dee Winters is expected to snag the position of the Cowboys' middle linebacker, as he considers himself to be the best fit for DC Parker’s new scheme, per Myles Simmons of ProFootballTalk.

During his three seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, Winters primarily played the WILL linebacker position (weak-side linebacker)  while All-Pro Fred Warner handled the MIKE (middle) linebacker duties.

Though the “green-dot” role is yet to be finalized, the Cowboys are evaluating multiple options for the right fit.

Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Arundhoti Palit