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Brian Schottenheimer Announces Plan to Make Cowboys Change After 8 Games

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Angelo Guinhawa | Last updated Oct 29, 2025 8:43 PM ET

After eight weeks of NFL action, the Dallas Cowboys have won just three times, lost four and drawn once. They are second in the NFC East, but they are well behind the 6-2 Philadelphia Eagles.

The Cowboys' offense has been hot this 2025 season, as the team ranks second in total offense and first in passing offense. However, their biggest problem lies on defense, where they rank 31st — only ahead of the Cincinnati Bengals.

In the Cowboys' Week 8 game against the Denver Broncos, they allowed Bo Nix to throw for four touchdowns as he led the Colorado franchise to a 44-24 victory.

Following the game, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer revealed his desire to make changes to the team as they continue to struggle on the field. On Wednesday, the first-year Dallas coach doubled down on that statement, pointing out that the defense is his first priority.

Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer speaks during a press conference.Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

"There will be change," Schottenheimer shared, per Joseph Hoyt of the Dallas Morning News. "But the change is not necessarily what makes this thing go. What makes it go is the execution. And that’s what I want everybody to understand.”

For what it's worth, Schottenheimer has started to focus more on defense as it continues to be a problem. He also revealed to reporters that he has been spending a "significant amount more" time attending defensive meetings compared to when the season started, per Jon Machota of The Athletic.

"That's to help. It’s not to get in the way," the Cowboys coach added. "I give (DC Matt Eberflus) a ton of credit. Having been a coordinator, having had head coaches come sit in my meetings and stuff, you don't like it. I took it personal. 'Why are you in my meeting?' … Flus has not been like that at all."

The Cowboys will play the Arizona Cardinals next on Monday Night Football. Sure enough, it will be interesting to see if Dallas shows signs of progress, particularly on defense.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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