Cowboys Face Frustration After Lions Loss, But Leadership Remains Steady
The Dallas Cowboys are licking their wounds after a tough Thursday night loss to the Detroit Lions, and emotions are running high - both on the field and online. But inside the building, the message from the coaching staff and players is clear: this team isn’t folding.
Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer addressed the buzz surrounding wide receiver George Pickens, who had posted - and later deleted - a social media comment in response to criticism from former cornerback and current analyst Richard Sherman. Sherman had questioned Pickens’ effort during the loss, but Schottenheimer wasn’t buying into that narrative.
“I’m aware of what was supposedly put out there,” Schottenheimer said Friday. “I haven’t talked to him yet, but I will.
I understand it’s been taken down. I just want to check in on him - these are the kinds of things we deal with in this profession.”
When Schottenheimer went back to the tape, he didn’t see a lack of effort from Pickens. Instead, he focused on the collective performance - or lack thereof.
“I don’t think any of us coached or played well enough,” he said. “But I’m going to judge George on his body of work.
His body of work shows he’s an elite player and a game-changer. No question.”
Schottenheimer even pointed to CeeDee Lamb as a recent example of bouncing back. Lamb had a rough outing against the Eagles earlier this season, dropping three passes. But just a few weeks later, he was torching defenses again - and was on pace for a monster game Thursday before exiting with a concussion.
Jerry Jones: “A Real Puzzler” in the Trenches
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones didn’t mince words when reflecting on the loss. For him, the biggest surprise came in the trenches - where the Lions won the battle on both sides of the ball.
“We had a tough go of it inside our trenches last night,” Jones said. “That was unexpected. That was a real puzzler for me watching it.”
The offensive line struggled to protect Dak Prescott, and the defensive front couldn’t consistently disrupt Detroit’s rhythm. That’s not the formula the Cowboys have relied on during their best stretches this season.
Dak Prescott: “We’re Not Done”
Despite the sting of the loss and the long-shot playoff odds, quarterback Dak Prescott made it clear: this team isn’t packing it in.
“I think guys are pissed off right now,” Prescott said. “But it’s not a deflated moment like, ‘Oh, we’re done.’ Absolutely not.”
Prescott emphasized that the team has changed since the bye week, and this was the first real gut punch for the current group. His hope? That the loss lights a fire under them heading into the final stretch.
“Hopefully it pisses people off the right way,” he said. “We use it as fuel. Starting with myself, I’ll make sure we have a great week of prep for the next one.”
Giants’ Jaxson Dart Learns the Hard Way About Taking Hits
Over in New York, Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart has been taking some heavy contact this season as he continues to develop his dual-threat game. Veteran Jets QB Tyrod Taylor - no stranger to balancing mobility with durability - offered some words of advice.
“You never want to take away what makes a guy special,” Taylor said. “But my advice would be to be smart about those hits.
Over a season, over a career, they add up. Your best ability is availability.”
Taylor knows the learning curve firsthand. Early in his career, he took more punishment than necessary. Now, he’s urging Dart to learn that lesson sooner rather than later.
“As a dual-threat guy, I’ve definitely taken some hits I shouldn’t have,” Taylor admitted. “Hopefully he learns quickly - he’s a special player, and his team is better when he’s on the field.”
Giants GM Joe Schoen Expected to Stay Put
There’s been some noise about the future of Giants GM Joe Schoen following the team’s decision to move on from head coach Brian Daboll. But according to league sources, Schoen is expected to return in 2026.
Despite speculation that top coaching candidates might want to bring in their own front office leadership, reports around the league suggest that Schoen has earned respect for how he operates and collaborates internally. Multiple sources say coaches around the NFL view him as someone they’d be happy to work with - not a roadblock to success.
So while the Giants are clearly entering a transitional phase, it doesn’t appear that Schoen’s seat is nearly as hot as some might have assumed.