Cowboys Offseason Buzz: Michael Irvin Backs Brian Schottenheimer’s Vision
There’s no offseason when it comes to football talk in Dallas-especially when two Cowboys legends cross paths. That’s exactly what happened earlier this week when Hall of Fame wide receiver Michael Irvin ran into Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer at a popular downtown Dallas spot. What started as a casual dinner turned into a conversation about the future of the franchise, and Irvin walked away feeling energized about where things are headed.
“I told him that I loved the direction he’s going in,” Irvin said of Schottenheimer. “I saw what I needed to see.”
That’s not just lip service from Irvin. Despite a disappointing 7-9-1 finish to the 2025 season, he’s seeing signs of real progress-especially on the offensive side of the ball. And he’s not wrong to point it out.
The Cowboys quietly put together one of the league’s most productive offenses last season, finishing fifth in scoring. That kind of output doesn’t happen by accident. It’s a testament to Schottenheimer’s system and the consistency the offense found down the stretch.
“What we figured last year, we figured a solid offense, but can it be consistent? They were consistently putting up 30 points a game,” Irvin said. “We’re right where we want to be.”
That offensive firepower was one of the few bright spots in a season that otherwise left fans frustrated-largely because of a defense that simply couldn’t hold up its end of the bargain.
The numbers tell the story: Dallas gave up the most points in the NFL (30.1 per game) and allowed the third-most yards (377.0 per game). That kind of defensive performance is hard to overcome, no matter how explosive your offense is. It ultimately led to the dismissal of defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.
Enter Christian Parker, the newly hired defensive coordinator, tasked with turning around a unit that struggled from start to finish. Irvin believes Parker-and Schottenheimer-can get it done, especially if the front office focuses on adding the right pieces on that side of the ball.
“You solidify this defense now, get players on this defense,” Irvin emphasized. “They have the ability to go get some guys that can focus on this defense. The Cowboys can be right up back in this mix.”
That’s the key for Dallas heading into 2026. The offense is already functioning at a high level. If the defense can even become average-let alone elite-the Cowboys could quickly find themselves back in playoff contention.
Schottenheimer, in just one year as head coach, has made it clear he values the franchise’s storied past while building toward a new future. He’s brought former players back into the fold, hosting an alumni day during OTAs and welcoming them on the sideline during a home game against Washington last October. It’s a subtle move, but one that speaks volumes about the culture he’s trying to create-one rooted in legacy, connection, and accountability.
For Irvin, that kind of leadership matters. And from what he’s seen so far, he believes the Cowboys are on the right track.
The 2025 season may not have ended the way Dallas hoped, but with offensive momentum in place and a new defensive mind at the helm, the pieces are there for a bounce-back year. As always in Dallas, expectations are sky-high. But if Schottenheimer’s vision continues to take shape-and the defense finally finds its footing-this team could be closer to contention than the record suggests.