The Dallas Cowboys have had a rough go since the start of the 2024 regular season. They missed the playoffs after finishing 7-10 and have had multiple negative headlines throughout the 2025 offseason.
Executive vice president Stephen Jones recently spoke about the team’s head coach change and whether it will be the proper culture shift to get them back to the Super Bowl.
Stephen Jones Is ‘110% for It’ if Culture Change Gets Cowboys Over the Hump
Dallas named Brian Schottenheimer as its head coach after allowing Mike McCarthy’s contract to expire this offseason. Schottenheimer was the team’s offensive coordinator the last two seasons, but McCarthy called the plays. The Cowboys finished 23rd in PFSN’s Offense+ metric last season, floundering after Dak Prescott was injured in Week 9.
The Cowboys ranked 28th in passing success rate and 29th in EPA per dropback. CeeDee Lamb regressed to 101 receptions, 1,194 yards, and six touchdowns without Prescott, and Rico Dowdle led the team with 1,079 rushing yards.
The offense was an issue for Dallas last season, but the team’s defense was a bigger problem. The unit fell to 25th in PFSN’s Defense+ metric after three straight years in the top five. Dan Quinn’s departure and significant injuries to key players contributed to the defensive drop-off
It was clear Dallas needed a culture change this offseason, but does promoting Schottenheimer count since he’d already been around for two years? Jones recently spoke about the narrative and is excited about what Schottenheimer can do.
Cowboys writer Clarence Hill Jr. tweeted out Jones’ comments: “I think we’re always looking for ways to be better. And, you know, we always talk about culture, and everybody wants a winning culture. But, you know, I think changing it up is a good thing,” Jones said.
“Nothing but respect for coach McCarthy and coach [Jason] Garrett and what they brought in the past. But we’re always looking for a way to get better. We’ve got to take this thing to the next level.
“And if bringing a different culture helps us get there, then I’m 110% for it. And I think that’s why people make changes at the top, to do something different. … We feel really good about our choice and things. Think coach Schottenheimer is really being received well, and I think he’ll continue to do an outstanding job.”
Stephen Jones on if the Cowboys needed a culture change: “I think we’re always looking for ways to be better. And, you know, we always talk about culture, and everybody wants a winning culture. But, you know, I think changing it up is a good thing. Nothing but respect for Coach…
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) June 6, 2025
The Cowboys haven’t been to a Super Bowl since winning Super Bowl 30 after the 1995 season. In fact, they haven’t reached the NFC Championship Game since that year. Garrett made the playoffs three times in his nine years as head coach, and McCarthy reached the postseason three times in his five seasons at the helm. It’s a tall order to be the Cowboys’ head coach, but someone has to finally get over the hump, right?
Will Jones and the Cowboys Return to the Playoffs in 2025?
Prescott’s return will be critical to Dallas’ 2025 campaign. The quarterback’s recovery is going well, and he’s on track to be ready for the start of the season. However, he’ll have to perform better than last year. Prescott finished 30th in PFSN’s QB+ metric and struggled in multiple key areas.
Lamb had been lobbying the team for a running mate at receiver, and Dallas traded for George Pickens earlier this offseason. The pair should offer Prescott ample big-play opportunities.
Dallas still needs to figure out Micah Parsons’ contract situation, though. The all-world edge defender is entering his final year under contract, and delaying the extension has majorly inflated the price for the Cowboys. Jones can talk about culture change all he wants, but locking up the team’s best defender should be priority number one.