The Cowboys are already searching for fixes after a Week 5 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and their defense is right back at the center of the problem.
Dallas entered the season with plenty of optimism that the unit would improve after finishing in the bottom five in most defensive categories in 2025, including yards allowed per game and points allowed per game. Instead, the early returns have only deepened the concern. Through five weeks, the Cowboys have allowed the second-most yards per game in the NFL, with only the Detroit Lions giving up more.
That rocky start has reportedly pushed Cowboys defensive leaders into a players-only meeting, an attempt to sort through the issues before they spiral further. But former NFL head coach Mike Tomlin doesn’t view that kind of meeting as a cure. He sees it as a warning sign.
Appearing on the latest episode of the "New Heights" podcast, hosted by Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce, Tomlin was asked what he thinks about players-only meetings. He didn’t soften his answer.
"I think you are dead," said Tomlin when asked by Jason Kelce about players-only meetings. "Dudes that have been around me know that I have nothing but respect for player leadership.
I embrace that, and all that stuff. But when you are having players only meetings, it doesn't go good.
I will tell you that. If it did occur, I would like to not hear about it.
The fact that you hear about it is what makes it B.S. If it was authentic and real, it wouldn't be reported.
I am not a fan."
Tomlin’s point was clear: in his eyes, the mere fact that the meeting is getting out suggests it’s more about appearance than actual problem-solving. And beyond the Cowboys specifically, he sounded skeptical of players-only meetings as a general fix.
However the Cowboys handle it, the defense needs a response fast if the team is going to get closer to its ceiling. That next chance comes in Week 6, when Dallas heads on the road to face the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football on NBC.
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