What do the Dallas Cowboys have in store this week? That feels like an impossible question to answer given what they've put on tape the last two weeks. Consecutive duds in primetime. An offense rendered useless against the blitz due to a lack of preparation. A defense that can't get off the field on third down.
Nobody knows.
Up next is a trip to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles on Monday Night Football. An Eagles team, by the way, that has lost four in a row and won't have starting quarterback Jalen Hurts, who is out for the season after doctors discovered blood clots in his lungs.
The season is unequivocally on the line. With preparation underway, let's get into the latest happenings in and around The Star.
Latest Cowboys news
- Jerry Jones wants to buy at the trade deadline
- Brian Schottenheimer is clearly feeling the pressure
- George Pickens responds to Schotty
- Quick Slants
- This day in Cowboys history
Jerry Jones wants to buy at the trade deadline
The NFL's owners gathered in New York this week for the annual Fall meetings. Fittingly, Jones was asked about the November 10 trade deadline (h/t Albert Breer, MMBQ).
“I’ll be real clear, I could see being active at the trade deadline if it was something that could help the team this year," Jones said.
Jones has been drumming to this beat for months, even after the Joey Porter Jr. trade. He acknowledged that he sees "opportunity" regarding the state of the NFC East. If the Cowboys take care of business the next couple of weeks to pull back to .500, you don't have to squint to envision Jones pulling off a trade that helps the defense.
Cardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat is already being linked to Dallas. In addition to Arizona, the Chargers, Colts, Dolphins and Titans fit the criteria of potential sellers.
The problem? Despite trading Micah Parsons a year ago, the Cowboys don't have much draft capital to work with in 2027. And they already gave up a 2028 second-round pick to get Porter Jr.
My two cents? If there's a player entering his prime who can become a long-term building block alongside Joey Porter Jr. and Quinnen Williams, make the move. If we're talking about an older player on an expiring contract who might only be in Dallas for a few months, just keep the pick.
Brian Schottenheimer is clearly feeling the pressure
The glow around Brian Schottenheimer is fading fast, and he's clearly feeling it. Appearing on 105.3 The Fan on Friday, Schottenheimer was asked about getting the offense back on track. His answer will not resonate with fans.
“I have incredible confidence in our offense," Schottenheimer said. "We have not played well the last two weeks. We have addressed a lot of the reasons why. We haven’t changed who we are. We are still a good explosive offense with weapons. We can hurt you a lot of different ways. I certainly haven’t lost the ability to call plays. I’m an elite play-caller in this league, and it can change around quickly.”
That was a fine answer until Schottenheimer got defensive and tabbed himself an "elite play-caller." This isn't 2025 anymore. He caught folks by surprise in his first year at the helm, objectively ranking as a top-12 (ish) play-caller. All Cowboys fans would have signed up for that.
This year has been a much different story.
Schottenheimer's been slow to adjust. The lack of preparation has been apparent. Other teams have found answers, and he hasn't had a counterpunch. Whatever label his play-calling deserved last season, "elite" doesn't describe what Dallas has gotten through six games.
Any fan wants a confident head coach. But this reeks of a guy who's feeling the pressure and is increasingly compelled to defend himself amid adversity. There's a difference between confidence and constantly having to remind everyone how good you are.
Ultimately, the Cowboys' record will do the most talking.
George Pickens responds to Schotty
Schottenheimer made waves on Thursday when he said that Pickens needs to be more invested as a blocker in answering how Pickens can get himself more involved in the offense. Pickens' effort and attention to detail against the Packers left something to be desired in both the run and pass game.
Naturally, Pickens was asked about Schottenheimer's comments on Friday. His answer (h/t Jon Machota, The Athletic):
"I feel like if you narrow the comments down, you’re talking about the team. Most definitely, I feel like as a team, just keep improving."
The most Pickens quote ever. Since arriving in Dallas, Pickens has not stepped one foot out of line with the media. He's been very buttoned up; the epitome of a team-first guy. This was his way of sidestepping the question, which is fine.
The team does need to improve, and Schottenheimer undoubtedly addressed Pickens' blocking behind closed doors. For a change, Schotty gave the media something more than coachspeak. He didn't call out Pickens or throw him under the bus.
Pickens is a great blocker when he's locked in. Hopefully, Schottenheimer's message resonated, and we see the best version of GP on Monday night.
Quick Slants
Your late-week dose of Cowboys news items.
P.J. Locke has his 21-day practice window opened
This was a pleasant Friday surprise. Locke landed on injured reserve after testing revealed he tore the plantar fascia in his foot during the Week 2 win over the Commanders. He has missed the required minimum of four games.
What's interesting is that Locke's practice window wasn't opened earlier in the week when Dallas opened Cobie Durant's 21-day window. Durant is trending toward a return Monday night, so perhaps Locke is farther away from a return and will remain on the shelf for another week.
In an encouraging sign, though, Locke was limited in Friday's practice. It's worth noting that Durant was a limited participant on Thursday before logging a full session on Friday. Maybe Locke is operating on a similar timeline, and he'll be a full go on Saturday. Either way, he has one more practice to prove he can play against Philly.
Saquon Barkley to return for the Eagles
Star players have a knack for returning from injury to face the Cowboys. First, Zay Flowers came back from a hamstring to play in Week 3 in Brazil, then Nico Collins returned after a two-game absence to play in Week 4.
Enter Barkley, who has been sidelined since straining his hamstring in Week 4. He's back at practice and will suit up Monday night, barring any setbacks.
This will be a massive boost for a Philly backfield that is decimated by injury. Backup running backs Tank Bigsby (core muscle surgery) and Will Shipley (foot) are both out.
Obviously, you'd prefer it if Barkley couldn't go, but it changes nothing about the expectations for Dallas. They should still win this football game.
This day in Cowboys history
October 24, 1971: The Cowboys beat the Patriots in the first-ever game at Texas Stadium
After a decade of calling the Cotton Bowl home since their inception in 1960, the Cowboys moved to the iconic Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. They welcomed a beatable Patriots team to town and took care of business to the tune of a 44-20 final score.
The Cowboys only led 10-7 after the first quarter, but a 24-point explosion in the second quarter put this game to bed before halftime, as they jumped out to a 34-7 lead.
Bob Hayes caught two touchdowns from Roger Staubach, who threw for 197 yards, while Chuck Howley added an interception on defense as Dallas kept Patriots then-rookie quarterback Jim Plunkett in check.
The Cowboys went on to avenge their Super Bowl V loss the year prior, taking out the Vikings and 49ers in the NFC before rolling over the Dolphins 24-3 in Super Bowl VI to claim the first Super Bowl ring in franchise history.
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