Brian Schottenheimer Addresses Defensive Players-Only Meeting

The Dallas Cowboys are searching for answers after a disappointing start to the 2026 season, and head coach Brian Schottenheimer believes the defense is taking the right steps to address its problems.

Dallas fell to 2-3 following a 24-16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5, extending concerns about a defense that has struggled to stop opposing offenses. In response, the defensive players held a meeting without coaches to discuss their issues, establish expectations and find ways to improve.

Schottenheimer addressed the meeting Wednesday, expressing confidence in his players’ willingness to hold one another accountable as the Cowboys prepare for Sunday’s matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

Cowboys’ defense holds players-only meeting to address issues 

Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown revealed that the defensive unit gathered for a players-only meeting following its struggles against Tampa Bay. The goal was to evaluate the team’s performance honestly and ensure everyone understood the standard Dallas expects to meet.

Overshown explained that the players discussed their responsibilities and how they could become more connected as a unit.

“Look at ourselves in a mirror. We put what we wanted our standard to be on the board,” Overshown said of the meeting. “We went bullet point by bullet point: Are we holding up to this? Are we being this? As a unit, how can we get closer? What is it?”

The meeting came after the Cowboys surrendered 241 rushing yards to Tampa Bay, including 165 yards and two touchdowns to running back Bucky Irving. Dallas has also struggled to generate takeaways, recording no interceptions through its first five games.

With those issues continuing to affect the team’s results, the players recognized the need to have an open conversation about their performance and what must change.

Brian Schottenheimer supports Cowboys’ defensive leaders

Schottenheimer welcomed the players’ decision to address their concerns internally, emphasizing that successful teams often rely on leadership within the locker room.

“I love it. I’ve said from the very beginning. The best teams I’ve ever been around are led by the locker room. And my information that I received from some of those guys that called that meeting, it was very productive. It was very open and honest,” Schottenheimer told reporters Wednesday.

The Cowboys’ head coach also expressed confidence in the pride and determination of his defensive players, making it clear that he views the meeting as a positive development rather than a concern.

“The pride of that unit is strong. There’s some really, really prideful men in that room, and we’re going to get it fixed. I have no question about that. But it doesn’t bother me at all. It means everyone’s rowing in the same direction, trying to get this thing fixed.”

Schottenheimer’s response offers public support for a defense under pressure to improve. While the meeting itself cannot guarantee better performances, the head coach believes the players’ willingness to confront their problems directly is an important step toward finding solutions.

Cowboys continue searching for defensive solutions 

The players-only meeting is one of several steps Dallas has taken following its difficult start. The Cowboys have also brought in veteran coach Mike Pettine as a senior defensive assistant to work alongside defensive coordinator Christian Parker.

Pettine brings extensive NFL coaching experience, including previous stints as a defensive coordinator. His arrival gives Dallas another experienced voice as the coaching staff attempts to address the defense’s struggles.

The Cowboys now need those conversations and adjustments to produce tangible improvement against Green Bay. Dallas must become more effective against the run, improve its tackling and find ways to take the ball away from opposing offenses.

The Packers enter the matchup after a 31-7 victory over the Chicago Bears where Jordan Love threw for 367 passing yards and two passing touchdowns. This presents another challenge for a Dallas defense that has yet to establish consistency.