BREAKING: “We’re Not Going Anywhere” — Cowboys Deny Schottenheimer Split as Dallas Faces Crossroads After Rio Heartbreak
By Staff Writer | September 28, 2026 | Dallas, Texas
FRISCO — The Dallas Cowboys are shooting down rumors of an imminent split with head coach Brian Schottenheimer, but the noise surrounding the second-year coach is growing louder by the hour.
Hours after the Cowboys suffered a gut-wrenching 34-31 last-second loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Rio de Janeiro, social media exploded with claims that Dallas was preparing to “part ways” with Schottenheimer. The rumor, which spread rapidly across X and fan forums, suggested the organization had seen enough after a 1-2 start and a defense that has been historically porous through three weeks.
There is no credible reporting to support the claim. The Cowboys have made no announcement, and team insiders have pushed back forcefully on the speculation.
But the mere existence of the rumor speaks to the precarious nature of Schottenheimer’s tenure in Dallas.
The Reality of Schottenheimer’s Contract
Schottenheimer was hired in January 2025 on a four-year deal worth approximately $4.5 million annually, making him one of the NFL’s lowest-paid head coaches . That contract structure has fueled speculation that owner Jerry Jones could move on quickly if results don’t improve.
According to reporting from Pro Football Talk, Schottenheimer’s deal may lack the standard guarantees typically afforded to first-time head coaches. “Schottenheimer came cheaper,” wrote Mike Florio. “How cheap? So cheap that there would be no buyout if he’s fired after one year?”
That reporting, from June 2025, has never been confirmed by the team. But it has become the foundation for every “hot seat” narrative surrounding Schottenheimer since he was hired.
A Brutal Start to Year Two
The Cowboys sit at 1-2 after three weeks, with their only win coming against a Washington Commanders team that lost quarterback Jayden Daniels to injury in the first half .
The defense has been the primary culprit. Dallas surrendered 192 rushing yards to the Ravens on Sunday, with Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson combining for 139 of those yards . Through three games, the Cowboys are allowing over 400 yards per contest and have been unable to generate consistent pressure or coverage on the back end.
Injuries have compounded the problem. Starting safety Jalen Thompson exited Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury, while cornerback Shavon Revel left in the fourth quarter with a knee issue . The Cowboys were already without Malik Hooker, Cobie Durant, and P.J. Locke, leaving the secondary dangerously thin .
Schottenheimer’s Own Words
The head coach has been candid about the challenges. Following the Week 1 loss to the Giants, Schottenheimer identified communication breakdowns as the root cause of the defensive struggles.
“It was surprising to us that we didn’t communicate very well,” Schottenheimer said. “Spent quite a bit of time yesterday in the team meeting just going back through the keys to communication” .
After the Rio loss, Schottenheimer acknowledged the margin for error is razor-thin. “We have to be better at what we can control,” he said in his weekly press conference .
The Contract Reality
There is no evidence that Jerry Jones is preparing to fire Schottenheimer. The Cowboys owner has never dismissed a head coach after one season, let alone two, and Schottenheimer retains the support of quarterback Dak Prescott, who publicly advocated for his promotion .
Prescott and Schottenheimer are tied together through 2028, with Prescott signing a four-year, $240 million extension and Schottenheimer’s contract running the same length . Any move to part ways with Schottenheimer would represent a dramatic organizational shift.
But the NFL is a results business. Schottenheimer himself acknowledged as much.
“I think we’re all on one-year contracts in this business,” Schottenheimer said following the Micah Parsons trade. “At the end of the day, we’re gonna be judged on wins and losses” .
What Comes Next
The Cowboys return to Dallas for a critical Week 4 matchup against the Houston Texans. A loss would drop Dallas to 1-3 and intensify the pressure on Schottenheimer and his staff.
For now, the “parting ways” narrative remains just that — a narrative. But in Dallas, where coaching speculation is a cottage industry, the line between rumor and reality can blur quickly.
Brian Schottenheimer is not leaving. Not today. But the clock is ticking, and the Cowboys know it.
