Kaiir Elam praises Cowboys coaching energy and culture

When the Dallas Cowboys traded for Kaiir Elam earlier this offseason, they weren’t just taking a flyer on a forgotten first-round talent — they were betting on fit, both scheme and culture.

And now, only a few days into his first offseason program in Dallas, Elam has already confirmed what many have been saying behind the scenes.

“The energy in the building is like something I’ve never been a part of before,” he said.

Everything we’ve written about Brian Schottenheimer and the tone he’s helped establish across this roster — culture, connection, accountability — Elam just backed it up.

But what stood out even more was what Elam said next:

Said Elam: “All aspects of the game, just playing the game before the game is even played.
Being able to eliminate routes and also expect what's coming so you don't have to play with your full athleticism — you can play with your mind first.”

That’s it.
That’s the shift.

You have to learn how to be a pro before you can truly become one.
Yes, Elam was a first-round pick because of rare physical traits.
But without consistent preparation in the film room — without mastering tendencies, formations, and route trees — even elite athletes feel overwhelmed.


Your athleticism gets you into the league.
Your mental traits are what keep you there.

And now? Things are starting to make sense.

Throughout Elam’s time in Buffalo, there was ongoing friction between him and then-cornerbacks coach John Butler. The two didn’t see eye to eye. It wasn’t a healthy working relationship, and it likely played a major role in Elam’s inconsistent development. 

Butler has since moved on, after not being selected for the defensive coordinator role in Buffalo. And Elam has found himself in a completely different environment — one he’s already praising for exactly the reason his early career may have stalled.

“I love the enthusiasm,'' he said, "and also I would just say the energy from the coaching staff.
They actually make you feel like they care. And that’s something that’s very exciting.”

That quote speaks volumes.
It ties directly into what we just discuss here with Tyler Guyton — young players being thrust into situations with coaching staffs who lack the patience or the tender care to bring them along.

In Dallas, that might finally be changing.

And if Elam’s words are any indication? He’s not just learning how to play corner again… he’s learning how to love it.