After a 7-9-1 finish in the 2025 season, the Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer pointed out ball security as one of the major issues in the quarterback Dak Prescott-led offense. This means that the team will have to make a conscious effort to step up soon.

During the recent episode of the Twins Take Podcast on July 4, Schottenheimer said that if Prescott and the offense could do a better job protecting the football, it could help lead the Cowboys back to the playoffs since the 2023 season.

"We've got the right type of guys in the locker room," Schottenheimer said. "We had an incredible year last year on offense. So the offensive line was great. Unfortunately, really, a couple of things got us last year. We did not do a good enough job taking care of the football on offense. So we were minus nine in the giveaway-takeaway battle, and my dad would not like that. So we're trying to get that better."

In 2025, Prescott threw interceptions in double digits (10) for the first time since 2022.

The Cowboys ranked 29th in turnover differential in the 2025 season with a minus-9 record, giving away the ball 21 times while taking it away only 12 times.

Schottenheimer further said on the Twins Take podcast that his dad would be disappointed with the record, as Marty Schottenheimer's legacy was built on the philosophy of ball security and turnover margin as the primary drivers of success.

His coaching strategy was known as "Martyball",  as it relied on a conservative run-heavy offense, a passing game that limited turnovers, and a disciplined but aggressive defense.

With a minus-nine turnover differential and a defense that allowed a franchise-record 511 points, the Cowboys fell short of the playoffs after finishing 7-9-1 in 2025, according to Fox Sports.

Now, with the offense set to focus on protecting the football, the Cowboys made further changes in the defensive side of the ball, making major changes to the coaching staff and adding significant key defenders during the offseason.

Cowboys HC opens up about major defensive changes

During his appearance on the same Twins Take Podcast on July 4, HC Schottenheimer expressed confidence in the changes made in the defensive unit during the offseason, starting with hiring defensive coordinator Christian Parker.

"But the other thing is the defense just unfortunately didn't take hold," Schottenheimer said in the Twins Take Podcast. "And so because it didn't take hold, we made changes. And that's what you do in this business."

The Cowboys ranked near the bottom of the league at No. 30 in overall defense in the 2025 season (377 defense yards average) and ranked No. 32 with 30.1 points allowed per game.

"It doesn't mean they were bad coaches," Schottenheimer said, hinting at Matt Eberflus' exit. "It doesn't mean they were bad players. It just means as the leader of the team, you have to look at each situation and evaluate it, starting with myself first."

While Schottenheimer accepted responsibility for the shortfall of defense in 2025, he believes that the offseason overhaul could help the Cowboys return to playoff contention.

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Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote