Brian Schottenheimer Addresses Cowboys’ Penalty Woes: Discipline on the Table

For the Dallas Cowboys, the 2025 season has been a story of inconsistency, and a major culprit has been a consistent lack of discipline. The team ranks among the most penalized in the NFL, and the issue was glaringly obvious in their recent 44-24 loss to the Denver Broncos. Following the game, Offensive Coordinator Brian Schottenheimer made it clear that talk is no longer enough and that more significant disciplinary actions, including benching players, are on the table.

A Season Defined by Self-Inflicted Wounds

The Dallas Cowboys’ struggle with penalties has been a recurring theme this season, costing them yardage, momentum, and points. They currently rank 29th in the league, averaging 8.4 penalties per game. The loss against the Broncos was a perfect example of this problem, as the team racked up nine penalties for 80 yards.

The most frustrating of these were the five pre-snap penalties—infractions that are purely about focus and discipline. The opening drive of the game was a sign of things to come. Set up with a third-and-goal from inside the 1-yard line, center Brock Hoffman committed a false start, pushing the offense back. What should have been an easy touchdown turned into a field goal. Later in the game, the team suffered another false start, an illegal formation, and two offsides penalties on defense. These mental errors have become a consistent roadblock for a team trying to find its rhythm.

Brian Schottenheimer Signals a Change in Approach

In his post-game comments, Brian Schottenheimer didn’t mince words. He took responsibility as part of the coaching staff but also indicated that the time for mere verbal correction may be over.

“Penalties,” Schottenheimer stated. “We’ve been, I think, too consistent having penalties. We need to tighten that up. That’s a discipline thing that we need to do a better job of as a coaching staff.”

When asked directly if it was time to consider benching players who repeatedly make these mental mistakes, Schottenheimer was direct. “Yeah, absolutely,” he confirmed. “The pre-snaps are the ones… That’s a discipline thing, you know? That’s something that needs to be looked at.”

This marks a potential shift in how the Dallas Cowboys handle their penalty problem. While aggressive, in-play penalties can sometimes be the cost of doing business for a physical team, pre-snap errors are entirely avoidable. Schottenheimer’s willingness to consider pulling players from the game sends a strong message that accountability is now the top priority. “Everything will be evaluated, I can promise you that,” he added. “From the penalties to the calls that we made to players, everything.”

From Talk to Action

The sentiment was echoed by quarterback Dak Prescott, who called on his teammates to take a hard look at their preparation and personal accountability. “It’s about what you’re doing, what you’re putting into this game,” Prescott said. “It’s not just about Sunday… all the work that you’re doing to make sure you don’t let your teammates down.”

For weeks, the Dallas Cowboys have talked about the need to clean up their play and eliminate mental errors. However, at 3-4-1, the results have not followed the rhetoric. Schottenheimer’s comments suggest that the coaching staff is finally ready to move from talk to action. For a team loaded with talent but hampered by its own mistakes, holding players accountable with reduced playing time might be the wake-up call they desperately need. The discipline that has been lacking on the field may finally be enforced from the sideline.