Brian Schottenheimer takes over the reins of the Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys have made a decision that has surprised many: promoting Brian Schottenheimer as their new head coach following the departure of Mike McCarthy. Despite expectations that the team would look for an option outside the organization, the Cowboys have opted for someone who already knows the dynamics of the team, a decision that has one key fact behind it.

Schottenheimer: Experience and previous results
Schottenheimer, 51, has been an offensive coordinator for teams such as the Jets, Rams, and Seahawks, in addition to having worked at the University of Georgia. In Dallas, he served as offensive coordinator for the past two years, making a significant impact, especially in 2023, when the Cowboys' offense was one of the best in the league:

Cowboys offensive rankings over the past few years:
Year Offensive Coordinator Points per Game Yards per Game
2024 Brian Schottenheimer 21st 16th
2023 Brian Schottenheimer 1st 5th
2022 Kellen Moore 4th 11th
2021 Kellen Moore 1st 1st
2020 Kellen Moore 17th 14th
In 2023, under Schottenheimer as offensive coordinator, the Cowboys led the league in points per game, finished fifth in yards per game, and put together a breakout 12-win season, winning the NFC East and earning the No. 2 seed in the NFC Playoffs.

However, in 2024, offensive performance has declined, ranking in the middle of the league. Much of this decline is attributed to the injury to star quarterback Dak Prescott, which left the team without its leader for much of the season.

Key differences between Schottenheimer and his predecessor
One of the key differences between Schottenheimer and Kellen Moore, who was offensive coordinator until 2022, is that Moore was the play-caller in his role, while under Schottenheimer that job fell to McCarthy. This experience and flexibility in teamwork could be decisive factors in the trust Dallas has placed in Schottenheimer.

Contract and projection
Although the details of Schottenheimer's contract have not been made public, it is likely to be a more modest deal compared to McCarthy, who had an extensive NFL track record, including a Super Bowl title.

With this decision, the Cowboys are betting on the continuity of a system that has yielded positive results and are confident that Schottenheimer can lead the team to new heights. The 2025 season will be the ultimate test to determine if this choice is the right one.