FRISCO, Texas – The football season is approaching rapidly.
The Cowboys will head to training camp in under a month. This will provide the first close look at Brian Schottenheimer’s inaugural season with a revamped roster and coaching staff. Once we arrive in Oxnard, we’ll begin to uncover crucial insights regarding the 2025 Cowboys team.
What questions are on the horizon? We have gathered our annual list of significant queries that need addressing as we move into the regular season. The team of writers, including Patrik Walker, Tommy Yarrish, Nick Eatman, Mickey Spagnola, Kyle Youmans, and Kurt Daniels, weigh in on these important issues.
Today, we delve deeper into Schottenheimer’s offensive strategy.
10) What to anticipate from Schotty’s offense?
Mickey: Expect a lot from this offense. With Dak and CeeDee Lamb both healthy and starting training camp on schedule, alongside Jason Ferguson’s return and the acquisition of George Pickens, the offense shouldn’t be underestimated. The Cowboys made a strategic choice in drafting Tyler Booker to fill the void left by the retiring Zack Martin, aiming to build a robust offensive line fitted for this group of talent. I foresee Schottenheimer emphasizing effective running plays and diversifying player usage, which may include a revitalized running back in Javonte Williams and new addition Jaydon Blue. While pre-snap motion may be more common, this won’t be a simplistic offense; Schotty is interested in advancing the ball downfield.
Patrik: Ideally, we’ll see a fierce approach, which is why I labeled my feature on Schottenheimer’s potential offense accordingly in this year’s training camp magazine (a bit of self-promotion there). Piecing together quotes, personnel insights, and practice observations has shaped my expectations for Dak Prescott and the team, which boasts speed across every skill position, even at running back, despite uncertainty about the main player(s) in that role. If the revamped offensive line—consisting of three first-round picks—performs well, Prescott should apply pressure on opposing defenses by targeting Lamb, Pickens, and Ferguson, while also employing plays like quick screens to leverage players’ agility.
Nick: I expect this team to focus significantly on the running game. While Mike McCarthy’s previous intentions didn’t lead to much ground play, Schottenheimer’s history indicates a higher emphasis. He has led teams to top 10 rushing statistics five times as play-caller, suggesting a priority on the ground game. However, it’s uncertain who will be the primary back; it seems like a competition among three candidates, and I won’t predict a clear starter. Regardless, I anticipate the Cowboys will aim to advance aggressively. The selection of Tyler Booker underscores this style, and a strong running game is essential for Dak’s success. It’s worth remembering that Tony Romo had his standout season in 2014 when DeMarco Murray rushed for over 1,800 yards. Just because Dak earns $60 million per year doesn’t rule out a commitment to the run.
Kurt: We can expect an offense characterized by movement, deception, and tempo. Schottenheimer has expressed his belief in using shifts and motions to create confusion, aiming for a harmonious blend between run and pass plays. This could involve more RPOs (run-pass options) and play-action plays. Dak Prescott excels in RPO situations, boasting a 72.3% completion rate and a 100.6 passer rating, compared to 66.5% and 98.0% on standard plays. Given the offensive talent Schottenheimer and Prescott have at their disposal, this should be an exciting group to watch.
