Getty Former Seahawks offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer is joining the Cowboys.
The Dallas Cowboys offense is getting some strategic help with the hiring of former Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. Dallas is adding Schottenheimer to the coaching staff to study “league trends and game-planning,” per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
“Sources: The Cowboys are hiring Brian Schottenheimer, the Jaguars’ pass-game coordinator last year, into a unique role, where he’ll help both coordinators, Dan Quinn and Kellen Moore,” Breer tweeted on March 24. “Much of Schottenheimer’s job will center on league trends and game-planning. Pretty cool idea.”
Essentially, Schottenheimer will be stepping into the role that former Giants coach Ben McAdoo fulfilled last season. Schottenheimer most recently worked as the Jaguars passing game coordinator during the 2021 season.
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The Seahawks Scored the Most Points in Franchise History Under Schottenheimer
Under Schottenheimer, the Seahawks had one of the top NFL offenses during the 2020 season and scored the most points in franchise history. Seattle ranked as the No. 8 offense averaging 28.7 points per game.
Unofficially, Schottenheimer introduced the “Let Russ Cook” era, albeit brief, during the first half of the Seahawks season with Russell Wilson airing out the football. Seattle opted to part ways with Schottenheimer after the season citing “philosophical differences.”
“Brian Schottenheimer is a fantastic person and coach and we thank him for the last three years. Citing philosophical differences, we have parted ways,” the Seahawks noted in a January 12, 2021 statement.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll wanted a more balanced offense with an emphasis on the rushing attack. Carroll’s philosophy also led to friction with Wilson who the team traded one offseason later.
“We need to run more with focus and direction and count on it a little bit differently than we did,” Carroll said days before firing Schottenheimer, per ESPN’s Brady Henderson. “It ain’t going to be 50 runs a game. We’re not going to do that. I don’t want to do that. I want to explode with the throwing game, but we need to dictate the way we’re being played better and see if we can do that.”
Prescott on Lamb as WR1: ‘I Know He’s Ready for It’
Dak Prescott to CeeDee Lamb 🔥🔥🔥 walk-off Touchdown!!!
The Cowboys offense will look different as the team opted to trade star receiver Amari Cooper and released La’el Collins this offseason. The Cooper move means that CeeDee Lamb is expected to step into the Cowboys WR1 role, something Dak Prescott expects the wideout to be ready to do.
“You look at a guy like CeeDee and just what he’s done in his first two years, it’s exciting, knowing this is only the beginning,” Prescott told The Athletic’s Jon Machota on March 22. “He hasn’t even scratched the surface. For him to be the main guy, I know he’s ready for it. I know he’s already doing the things he needs to do necessary to have a great offense and control the things he can. It’s going to be exciting.”
It will be worth watching to see what adjustments Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore makes to the unit heading into 2022. The Dallas offense appeared to hit a wall as the team closed out the 2021 season.