The A.J. Brown trade was coming; everyone knew that. But Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams was indeed a surprise. The Dallas Cowboys head coach, Brian Schottenheimer, was asked about those trades during the OTAs media session.

“It’s a competitive business,” Schottenheimer said, per X post of Jon Machota. “Everyone is trying to get their roster right. Each roster is different. Each roster is unique to themselves. We feel like we’ve had an incredible offseason of additions.”

With a critical need at the pass rusher, the Cowboys were criticized for not making a move for Myles Garrett. 

The Cowboys ranked 30th in total yards allowed and last in points allowed last year. After finishing with a 7-9-1 record in 2025, the Cowboys made significant changes to their defense during the offseason.

It started with hiring Christian Parker as the new defensive coordinator. The offseason additions were headlined by acquiring the former Green Bay Packers linebacker Rashan Gary.

Along with drafting the former Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and UCF edge Malachi Lawrence in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Entering his second year as a head coach, Schottenheimer was reflective of his last season's approach in giving importance to the offense, rather than focusing on the defense's struggles.

"I feel like I could have been better last year, in terms of early on," Schottenheimer said. "I spent so much time with the offense, cause Klayton [Adams] was the new coordinator, that I didn't really do much on the defense. And by the time I got over there, I felt like it was a little bit too late in some regards."

The head coach doubled down on Parker being "great" and a man of "very few words." Overall, Schottenheimer is "thrilled" with the defense right now.

With Super Bowl expectations in the team, Schottenheimer has the urgency to prove, as his future with the team could depend on the 2026 season results.

Cowboys HC Facing High-Stakes 2026 Season

Fox Sports Jason McIntyre, the co-host of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, predicted that Schottenheimer could get replaced after the 2026 season if he fails to deliver the success that owner Jerry Jones expects.

"The arrow's pointing slightly up for the Cowboys, but I don't think by any stretch they're a playoff team," McIntyre said. "When that doesn't happen, then you start wondering, 'Is Schotty going to get run out of town? How many more years can Jerry take no playoffs and be happy with it?"

McIntyre suggested Notre Dame HC Marcus Freeman as a potential replacement for Schottenheimer.

He believes that Jones wouldn't hesitate to replace Schottenheimer if the Cowboys missed the playoffs for three straight seasons.

Freeman chose to stay with Notre Dame, even though he was scouted by ten NFL teams recently.

For Schottenheimer, the 2026 season is a defining test of his career, especially with potential replacements already being linked to the Cowboys.

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Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore