With the new league year just three weeks away free agency is all the rage around the NFL. Having recently hired a new head coach and essentially a completely new coaching staff, the Dallas Cowboys need to figure out the player profile that best suits this staff.
While Brian Schottenheimer hired an exciting cavalcade of coaches, new offensive coordinator Klayton Adams has created the most buzz.
Adams comes over from the Arizona Cardinals, where he served as offensive line coach the last two seasons. The Cardinals' OL consistently played above its talent level under Adams, and Adams was the architect behind Arizona's No. 7 ranked rushing attack last season.
Cardinals fans were devastated to learn of Adams' departure. That tells you the caliber of coach Dallas has on its hands.
Adams met with the Dallas media on Tuesday for the first time since he was hired and his vision for the offense will have Cowboys fans wanting to fast forward through the offseason.
Klayton Adams wins over Cowboys fans with vision for the offense
What does Adams want to see from his players?
"The same thing that I want from every player on offense, and that is to create violence in the game," Adams said, via team writer Tommy Yarrish. "Be aggressive, run, hit, I think that every decision that we make schematically needs to lean that direction."
Meet new #DallasCowboys OV Klayton Adams, who is looking to help the Cowboys establish a physical identity.
— Tommy Yarrish (@tommy_yarrish) February 18, 2025
“Create violence in the game, be aggressive, run, hit, I think that every decision that we make schematically needs to lean that direction."
More: https://t.co/sRGOfIYEx8 pic.twitter.com/yr6E0CiDwp
It's easy to read that quote and call it fool's gold.
With big shoes to fill as the new offensive coordinator, Adams is just giving the media money quotes to appease fans, right? That might be the case with some coaches. However, there is film of Adams' scheme working with Arizona, which has lesser blue-chip talent relative to the Cowboys.
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When you think about the Cardinals offense, do any stars spring to mind? James Conner is a good running back, but he probably doesn't crack the top-10. The offensive line is composed of adequate starters, but not world-beaters.
Adams' scheme took it over the top. He recognized what his players do well and incorporated that into his play-designing on top of demanding violence. That is another message he preached to reporters.
"Our job, when we’re putting things on the call sheet is to be problem-solvers," Adams said, via Jon Machota of The Athletic. "We’re trying to figure out what we do good and how we make that look multiple. How do we make that look different? That’s the part I’m really looking forward to focusing on."
A problem-solving coach who wants to bully opponents with an innovative run-scheme? The Cowboys may have struck gold with Adams.
It's well-documented that Dallas' running game lacked innovation with Mike McCarthy calling plays the last two seasons. Under Adams, Cowboys fans can expect a heavy dose of counters, gap scheme concepts and pull blockers.
While it is currently unclear whom Dak Prescott will be handing the ball to, Adams' scheme and obsession to be the more physical unit will have whomever the front office brings in primed for success.
It's still early, but Adams looks like a slam-dunk hire.