Cowboys’ fans, you’re going to do something you don’t want to do these next few weeks and that’s trust the new coaching staff. That’s right. Anyone hoping for a sneak peak of what Brian Schottenheimer plans for his offense this season will have to wait patiently. Anyone hoping to get a preseason glimpse of what a Matt Eberflus defense looks like this go ‘round, will also be disappointed.
The Dallas Cowboys are playing things close to the vest this summer. That means no strategic gameplans, no joint practice razzle-dazzle and no hints of what might be on the way before the 2025 regular season kicks off in Philadelphia on September 4.
In Schottenheimer’s words, he’s “playing with a 7-iron,” meaning he’s keeping things simple and protecting his playbook. As Patrik Walker reported from joint practice this week, veteran coaches like Sean McVay don’t have the same element of surprise the Cowboys’ coaching staff enjoys. Everyone knows what McVay brings as a play caller so there’s no sense in him hiding it. Schottenheimer and Eberflus bring aura of unknown to the season, and they are none-too-eager to waste that advantage on meaningless practices and games this summer.
For pessimistic Cowboys fans hoping to see evidence for optimism, this is bad news. The L.A. Rams rolled the Cowboys on Tuesday. Even without Matthew Stafford under center, they look every bit the polished machine they are in the regular season. Comparatively, the Cowboys look like a Division II non-conference opponent scheduled for homecoming. There were exceptions, but for the most part, Dallas looks outmatched in most areas.
According to Schottenheimer, that’s by design.
For weeks fans have heard about all the bells and whistles Schottenheimer is bringing to the offense in 2025. They’ve heard about the play action, the motion on every play and the misdirection in play design. That’s music to the ears of many but it hasn’t been evident in the clips shared with fans nor with the practice shared with the Rams.
It’s a leap of faith, or at the very least, delayed judgement, that Schottenheimer and his new staff are requesting. They get one chance to use the element of surprise and that only works if they keep things close to the vest over the preseason.
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