Cowboys make uninspiring choice with new OC hire

The Dallas Cowboys made it official on Saturday by announcing Brian Schottenheimer as their new offensive coordinator for the 2023 season, replacing Kellen Moore. 

Schottenheimer was the in-house favorite to take over that role after spending the 2022 season as a coaching analyst with the Cowboys.

Based on Schottenheimer’s previous stops as an offensive coordinator around the NFL, it is a rather uninspiring hire to say the least. Maybe he has picked up a few things along the way, but historically speaking, the offenses he has been in charge of have typically struggled to gain yards and score points. 

Schottenheimer has served as offensive coordinator for the New York Jets, Rams and Seattle Seahawks at various times since the 2006 season, accumulating 12 years of experience in that role.

During that time his offenses have had an average finish of 20th in the NFL in total yards gained and only 15th in points scored. 

Only one of those teams finished a season in the top 10 in yards gained, while only four finished in the top 10 in points scored. 

Not exactly an encouraging track record.

Prior to joining the Cowboys, he worked as the passing-game coordinator for the 2021 Jacksonville Jaguars who had one of the league’s worst passing offenses with rookie Trevor Lawrence. When the Jaguars brought in a new coaching staff in 2022, Lawrence’s career did a complete 180 as Jacksonville won the AFC South. 

The Cowboys offense has been good the past two years, and it is coming off a 2022 season that saw them finish fourth in points scored and 11th in total yards.

Still, there are some concerns. Running back Tony Pollard is a free agent and could be leave, while starting quarterback Dak Prescott had some major turnover issues this year that really limited the Cowboys at times. 

Even with some inconsistencies in the second half of the season, the Cowboys had a good thing going on offense with Moore running the show, finishing with a top-six scoring offense in three of his four years. The only year they finished outside of that was the 2020 season when Prescott missed most of the season due to injury. 

In other words, they are replacing an assistant coach with a proven track record of success with an assistant coach with a proven track record of mediocrity.