The Cowboys Have a Hidden Edge in 2025 — And It Starts With the Coaching Staff

When fans think about the NFL schedule, they usually focus on strength of opponents, quarterback matchups, and tricky road trips.
But sometimes, the biggest advantages are hidden — tucked away behind the scenes in the meeting rooms.

For the Dallas Cowboys in 2025, one of those hidden advantages is already clear:
Their assistant coaches have deep ties and firsthand intel on multiple key opponents.

Starting early:

 • Week 3 at Chicago — New defensive assistant Matt Eberflus knows the Bears organization inside and out after coaching there.

 • Week 4 vs. Green Bay — Eberflus’ time in the NFC North gave him years of first-hand experience game-planning against the Packers. He knows what that franchise emphasizes, what their tendencies are, and where their systems are vulnerable.

 • Week 5 at New York (Jets) — New defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton spent years on the Jets staff and brings detailed knowledge of the Jets’ personnel, schemes, and player tendencies — critical intel in a tough road matchup.

 • Week 9 vs. Arizona — New offensive coordinator Clayton Adams brings fresh, inside knowledge of the Cardinals after serving as Arizona’s offensive line coach in 2024. He’ll know their protection rules, their defensive structure, and exactly how to attack their weaknesses.

Now, you might wonder about other familiar faces — like former Cowboys DC Dan Quinn, who is now coaching the Washington Commanders.
But that's a little different.

When two teams face off twice every season inside the same division, familiarity is already baked into the matchup.
It’s much more impactful when you have coaches who bring inside knowledge on teams outside your division, where systems, tendencies, and personnel are less familiar to your own roster.

Coaching matters in the NFL — especially early in the season when rosters are still settling and tendencies haven’t evolved much yet.
Inside knowledge means faster game plans, better scouting reports, and fewer surprises.

In a season where every edge matters, the Cowboys are stacking up hidden advantages behind the scenes — and they might show up on the scoreboard sooner than people realize.

It’s not just about the players.The people preparing them matter too... which is exactly why Brian Schottenheimer is the new head coach.