The Dallas Cowboys' offense will look a little different in 2023, and it's not just because of the personnel changes.
Arguably the biggest change is a coaching one, as Brian Schottenheimer is the new offensive coordinator in town. Schottenheimer, who was previously the offensive coordinator for the New York Jets, then-St. Louis Rams and Seattle Seahawks, served as an analyst with the Cowboys last season. With the team parting ways with previous offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, Schottenheimer now has another shot at such a role.
Before even his first game as Cowboys offensive coordinator, Schottenheimer has earned the attention of analysts. The newly-promoted coach appeared on Pro Football Focus' list of the top 10 offensive coordinators in the league, just squeaking in at No. 10.
"This will be Brian Schottenhemer’s fifth stint as an offensive coordinator between the NFL and college football — and his first since he was let go by the Seattle Seahawks," PFF writes. "With Kellen Moore departed from Dallas, the Cowboys and Mike McCarthy clearly have defined ideas about where they want this offense to go, and Schottenheimer has always leaned toward the run game (in part, seemingly in search of the magic number 53)."
As CowboysSI.com has reported, in many ways, McCarthy will truly be running this new "Texas Coast Offense.'' McCarthy has overseen the install, is in charge of the playbook and game plans, and will be his own play-caller. But "Schotty'' has helped guide the changes, is trusted almost like "family'' by McCarthy (the late Marty Schottenheimer, Brian's dad, was a McCarthy mentor) ... and Schottenheimer certainly has some impressive feats under his belt.
His teams have finished in the top five in rushing offense four separate times, he helped the Jets make back-to-back AFC Championship Games in 2009 and 2010 and he did some solid work with the Seahawks in his three-year stint with them. With a plethora of skill players on the Cowboys' offense, Schottenheimer will have plenty of room to help McCarthy get creative, and more importantly, get productive, in Dallas.
Moore also earned a spot near the top of the list, clocking in at No. 2. The Cowboys parted ways with Moore this offseason after four years, and he quickly took the same role with the Los Angeles Chargers. Moore had a lot of success as Dallas' offensive coordinator, with his unit twice leading the league in total yards, and the Chargers are hopeful he can bring that same success to L.A.
"Dak Prescott was significantly more aggressive in Dallas with Moore running the offense, and it’s a system that wants to rely on the quarterback as much as possible," PFF writes. "Moore’s reputation is already high, but unleashing the best version of [Chargers quarterback Justin] Herbert this season will only enhance it."
Moore is somebody Cowboys fans will probably keep an eye on. But in Dallas? The Cowboys' offense has sky-high potential this season, and Schottenheimer will undoubtedly leave his impact on the unit.
You can find Jonathan Alfano on Twitter @JonAlfano_News
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