Schottenheimer puts Cowboys outside-linebacker rotation under review

Brian Schottenheimer says changes are coming for the Cowboys, with the outside-linebacker rotation among the areas he will review after Thursday’s 24–16 loss to Tampa Bay.

The coach said Friday that Dallas is studying adjustments across offense, defense and special teams. He identified the rotation as one specific area under consideration but did not announce who would gain or lose snaps. The Cowboys fell to 2–3 and next play at Green Bay on October 18.

The extra time gives the staff a chance to examine more than the Buccaneers game. Schottenheimer said Dallas also needs to clean up problems from its win at Houston, using a self-scout to determine which parts of its approach are working.

The clearest problem Thursday was the defense’s inability to control the ground game. Tampa Bay ran for 241 yards and finished with 419 total yards while undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels made his second NFL start. Dallas managed 50 rushing yards and lost the turnover battle 3–0.

The Cowboys’ own statistical review credited the defense with seven pressures and a 22.6 percent pressure rate. Rashan Gary had four pressures, while Donovan Ezeiruaku and Malachi Lawrence shared Dallas’ only sack. Those results give the coaching staff a concrete starting point for its review of the pass-rush rotation.

A coaching change has not been announced. In his reporting for The Athletic, carried by NFL.com, Jon Machota noted that Jerry Jones expressed confidence in defensive coordinator Christian Parker after the loss. Quinnen Williams also backed Parker, putting responsibility on the players to execute the calls.

That leaves the next decisions centered on what the existing staff can change in its preparation, assignments and personnel usage. Schottenheimer’s Friday comments establish that the Cowboys intend to adjust; they do not establish a new depth chart.

With the Packers next, Dallas has time to turn those promised changes into specific decisions. The immediate question is how the staff will distribute snaps and improve execution after another game in which the defense struggled to get off the field.