Brian Schottenheimer has his hands full as the HC of the Dallas Cowboys. He is also the mind behind the offensive play-calling, grinding through marathon meetings with players like Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. Yet, even with the offense as his playground, the coach can’t ignore the team’s defensive struggles. So, now and then, he slips into DC Matt Eberflus’ meetings, reminding everyone that winning in Dallas takes all hands on deck.

“Having been a coordinator and having had head coaches come and sit in my meetings, it’s tough,” Schottenheimer himself confessed in an interview with the Dallas Morning News.

Having previously been an OC, he remembers how he felt when Rex Ryan or Pete Carroll would drop by during his time with the New York Jets and Seattle Seahawks.

“You don’t like it. You kind of take it a little personally. I took it personally,” he added. “Like, ‘Why are you in my meeting? Hey, Pete, get out of my meeting. I don’t want you in my meeting, Pete.’ ‘Hey, Rex, why are you in my meeting? Get out.’ Flus hasn’t been like that at all. And he’s been very open to some of the thoughts.”

Schottenheimer has been part of the team’s defensive meetings since 2022. Back then, he was a consultant with Dallas, and now with the bigger responsibility of an HC, he needs to know why their defense ranks 31st in points and yards allowed per game.

But make no mistake, Schottenheimer doesn’t intend to get in Eberflus’ way. “It’s to offer my expertise on what I see and how I would attack them and things like that.” Eberflus understands that. After all, he would operate the same way when he was the Chicago Bears’ HC, and so, he appreciates Schottenheimer’s presence.

Plus, heading into Week 10 (bye), their defense has allowed the second-most points (31.3), second-most yards (404.6), third-most rushing yards (146.0), and third-most passing yards per game (258.6). An extra mind in the mix will only help fill in these glaring holes.

While the Cowboys bury themselves in meetings and schemes, the rest of the NFL world is watching closely to see if the Dallas Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones, has one more move up his sleeve before the trade deadline. The team has already brushed off the idea of pursuing Raiders star Maxx Crosby, insisting they don’t need an edge rusher.

And Stephen Jones hasn’t closed the door on adding help as he doubled down on his faith in his defense coordinator.

Stephen Jones clarifies his stance on Matt Eberflus’ position on the team

With the defense performing terribly in most games this season, questions arose over whether the team would fire coach Eberflus. However, Jones clarified that he has faith in the coach’s skills and knowledge.

“Coach Eberflus has been a high-end coach,” Jones said on 105.3 The FAN. “He was a really top coordinator throughout his stay in Indianapolis, where it got him the head job in the NFL, which we all know is difficult. And then he had really good defenses in Chicago.”

He further proclaimed, “Right now, he’s not satisfied with where we are. We all have to be better, as a team, all our players, all our coaches, all our executives, all ownership, everybody needs to look in the mirror and see where they can be better.”

So, it seems Coach Eberflus’ position is fixed on the team. However, he may get some help if Jerry Jones adds a new player to the roster. For potential trades, Jones admitted that any move would likely focus on improving the defense. The Cleveland Browns‘ standout Myles Garrett’s name is now making the rounds in league circles.

Miami’s safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, edge Jaelan Phillips, and linebacker Bradley Chubb are some of the notable names the Cowboys can consider targeting this season. Several names have surfaced in the rumor mill. But as of now, nothing is confirmed.