‘Starts With Me’: Brian Schottenheimer Addresses Core Reason Behind Cowboys’ Collapse

Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer struggled in the 2025 season as the defense allowed an average of 30.1 points per game, and the team finished 7-9-1 despite Dak Prescott throwing for 4,552 yards and 30 touchdowns. The team continues to struggle in 2026 with a 3-5 record after a 33-30 overtime loss to Arizona.

Schottenheimer has taken responsibility for the problems instead of avoiding blame. His acknowledgment of execution failures comes after Dallas lost a 14-point fourth-quarter lead at home, adding pressure on a team that has not consistently finished close games.

Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer addresses team execution flaws

The Cowboys led Arizona 24-10 with 14:20 left in the fourth quarter. The Cardinals tied the game with six seconds remaining, then won in overtime. Dallas was outgained 286-157 in the second half and allowed Arizona to convert four of five third downs and all three red-zone trips.

“It’s not an effort issue. It’s an execution issue. That starts with me as the head coach,” Schottenheimer said in a postgame statement shared by Jon Machota. “I’m responsible for everything that happens here. Our execution has to be cleaner. We have to be able to put some of these close games away that we’ve unfortunately let slip away from us. And that comes down to execution.”

The loss matched the largest blown fourth-quarter lead in Cowboys history. Dallas had been 202–0–1 at home when leading by at least 14 points in the fourth quarter, including the playoffs, before the Arizona collapse.

The Cowboys also became the first NFL team this season to lose after holding a 14-point fourth-quarter lead. Their win probability reached 98.3% with 3:24 remaining, according to ESPN Analytics, but the defense could not protect the advantage.

Schottenheimer is 3-5 in his first season as Dallas’ head coach. Owner and general manager Jerry Jones said a coaching change was not on his mind after the loss and placed responsibility on the organization rather than on one person.

Prescott also defended his coach. He said blaming one person was weak and cowardly, stressing that all 11 players, coaches, and support staff share responsibility. That support matters as Dallas prepares for its next challenge against Indianapolis.

The Cowboys have nine games left and remain within reach of the NFC East, with the New York Giants at 4-4. But the margin for error is shrinking. With nine games remaining, the team understands that unity and cleaner execution are the only ways to salvage the season.

To reverse their trajectory, the Cowboys must clean up the late-game breakdowns that plagued them against Arizona. A report on Jerry Jones’ coaching stance confirmed that Schottenheimer remains in place, but another collapse would increase the pressure on the Cowboys.

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