Jerry Jones still likes Cowboys' 'bet' on Brian Schottenheimer, addresses Joey Porter Jr. absences

Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and current San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan are two noteworthy individuals who have recently been mentioned as potential replacements for often-criticized Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer.

During a Friday appearance on Dallas sports radio station 105.3 The Fan, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones suggested he's not close to giving up on Schottenheimer. 

Jerry Jones thinks Brian Schottenheimer will be better "three years from now?"

"Given the ability to live to tell about it, Brian will be a year from now, two years from now, three years from now, he'll be much more (prepared) for the kinds of challenges a head coach has," Jones said, per Jon Machota of The Athletic. "There's no question, you pay a price when you're doing it for the first time. ... I still like (our) bet (on him)."

Schottenheimer has thus far gone 11-14-1 as Dallas' head coach, and the 2026 Cowboys went 4-5 ahead of this Sunday's home game against the 7-1 San Francisco 49ers. Regardless of the many public votes of confidence Jones has given Schottenheimer since Week 1, many are convinced the Cowboys will make a coaching change if Dallas misses the playoffs for a third straight year.  

Jerry Jones breaks silence about controversial topic

Back in October, Cowboys cornerback Joey Porter Jr. offered a strong response after he was basically accused of sitting a game out for an "illness" that former player and current analyst Richard Sherman suggested was related to the fact that Porter is in the final year of his existing contract.

More recently, Porter insisted on Thursday that he missed Dallas' Week 9 win over the Indianapolis Colts because he is dealing with a legitimate foot injury. According to Joseph Hoyt of the Dallas Morning News, Jones was asked on Friday if he was frustrated over Porter's absences. 

"I’m not so sure that’s the word," Jones responded. "It’s the life we’ve chosen. That’s where you have to go to. You have to play with what you got. There’s no question to have him on that field on defense is a significant advantage. So hopefully he’ll be out there this week." 

One would think Porter would have millions of reasons to want to play and play well for the Cowboys through Week 18. It remains to be seen whether the events of this season will ultimately cost him money regarding future negotiations with the Cowboys and/or with other teams.