Latest news with #Schottenheimer
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Cowboys HC says newly-signed $52 million player's down year was 'more of a fluke'
Dallas rewards its starting tight end with a $52 million extension as head coach Brian Schottenheimer praises Ferguson's toughness and leadership. The Dallas Cowboys extended Pro Bowl tight end Jake Ferguson with a four-year, $52 million contract extension, which includes $30 million guaranteed. The deal makes the former 2022 fourth-round pick the highest-paid TE in franchise history. The 26-year-old is coming off an injury-riddled season which included an injured knee and a concussion, and saw a decline in his production, finishing with 59 receptions for 494 yards and failing to find the end zone throughout the season. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer made it clear the call to extend Ferguson wasn't about the production, but instead about what the former Wisconsin Badger brings to the team. 'He's a great leader. He's lighter (this season). He's moving around really, really well," Schottenheimer said. "I think last year, you look at the first game against Cleveland, and he gets his knee pretty banged up. And then he's got a concussion mid-season at some point. That's so uncharacteristic of (Ferguson). It was just a year prior, in 2023, when following the departure of Dalton Schultz, the Cowboys moved Ferguson int the role of the full-time starter. In his first season leading th group, Ferguson recorded 71 receptions for 761 yards and five touchdowns and was named a Pro Bowl selection. 'I have zero doubts in my mind that his production will get back to where it was the year before," Schottenheimer added. "I think last year was just kind of one of those years that you look back on your career and it was more of a fluke than anything." Now entering his fourth season, Ferguson has become a more vocal and physical presence on the field and in the locker room. The head coach referred to him as an "enforcer," someone who consistently brings the edge and accountability every time he is on the field. '(He's) a really, really good player in this league," Schottenheimer said. "He has always been. He's one of those guys that as a young player, second-year player, there was leadership. He's an enforcer. He's a guy that plays the game the right way. He plays the game on the edge. Now with Ferguson under contract through 2029, the Cowboys hope that his best football is ahead of him.
Fox News
4 days ago
- Sport
- Fox News
Dak Prescott Still Seeking Playoff Success Going Into 10th Season With Cowboys
Dak Prescott might be the physical embodiment of where the Dallas Cowboys stand as an organization in 2025. Both are rich, famous and desperately seeking postseason success. Going into his 10th season as the Cowboys' quarterback, Prescott has been with the team for nearly one-third of its NFC-worst 29-season drought without a conference title game appearance. He is driven to end it this year, preferably culminating in a Super Bowl ring. "If you don't want to win a Super Bowl, or don't think we can win a Super Bowl, then don't come to Oxnard," Prescott said Thursday. "You're in the wrong place. We know the standard when you wear the star. We know the expectations." Prescott is looking to bounce back from a chaotic 2024, which included becoming the highest-paid player in NFL history following protracted and public contract negotiations before sustaining a season-ending hamstring tear in early November. Back at full health and approaching his 32nd birthday on Tuesday, Prescott finds himself overseeing a much different offense under new coach Brian Schottenheimer than what Mike McCarthy ran the previous five seasons. Prescott is lining up under center more after primarily working out of the shotgun under McCarthy. There is more pre-snap motion and an increased variety of personnel groupings. Prescott likes the changes he has seen so far during the first week of training camp. "You don't know really when we're going to motion, when we're not, when we're doing to hit you with something fast, so it's just another great weapon," Prescott said. Even Prescott's trademark "Here we go" cadence is set aside at times, though Schottenheimer joked it is too ingrained in the public consciousness to be fully abandoned. "I mean, why would we take it away when it's got TikTok memes and stuff like that," Schottenheimer said. "It's one of the best things that he does, man, and so we're going to let him do that. But like everything that we do, we're going to be multiple." Another key asset is the return of Prescott's mobility, which he has displayed by extending plays or scrambling. "It's been a long road to it," Prescott said of his recovery after partially tearing his hamstring off the bone against the Atlanta Falcons on Nov. 3, requiring surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation process. "It's something that I think about every time I step on that field, being thankful for this moment. Not taking anything for granted, and understanding that I've got to continue to push. It's one thing to be healthy, but how much better can I get now that I'm healthy, and that's on the forefront of my mind, so feels good." That injury and Prescott's veteran status led Schottenheimer to say the quarterback's workload in camp will be carefully managed to ensure he will be healthy for the regular season. However, Schottenheimer conceded it might be difficult to get Prescott to dial things back. "He wants to do as much as possible," Schottenheimer said. "Luckily, we have the trump card with him on that. But in all seriousness, there's a smart way to train." Even with the decrease in preseason snaps, Prescott's desire to compete has not diminished, physically or mentally. "It's what I want from this game, and I know it's what everyone wants in this locker room," Prescott said. "Winning. Winning, winning, winning. And, obviously, if we give everything we can, and you go at it, there's a lot of good things and patches and pats on the back, I guess you could say, on the way. "But that's what's on my mind, 10 (years) in and ready to play another 10. But I want that first and foremost now, and that is the urgency that I carry with just the love and the passion of this game is not only wanting to win for myself, but wanting to win for this organization. It's been, well, damn long enough." Reporting by The Associated Press. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Cowboys HC Schottenheimer ID'd as one of NFL's most under-pressure people in 2025
Brian Schottenheimer wasn't the most talked-about coaching hire of 2025, but he may be under more pressure than any of them. Head coach of the Dallas Cowboys is arguably one of the most intensely scrutinized jobs in all of sports. Heading into the 2025 season, that challenge goes to Brian Schottenheimer, named the 10th head coach in franchise history in January, after Dallas parted ways with Mike McCarthy following a five-year run that concluded with a 7-10 finish last season. No matter who roams the sidelines for Dallas, winning a Super Bowl is something no Dallas coach has been able to accomplish in three decades. Adding to the pressure is the feeling the current window could be close to shutting when considering the team's All-Pro quarterback, Dak Prescott is just days away from his 32nd birthday and , coming off another major injury. Several of the team's notable players over the past five seasons have moved on, most recently future hall of fame guard Zack Martin who retired earlier this offseason. ESPN's Bill Barnwell reecently listed 15 players, coaches, or GMs under the most pressure in 2025, with Schottenheimer as one of four head coaches mentioned. "I've argued that Chicago's Ben Johnson is the most-hyped first-time hire with no prior head coaching experience in decades... On the other end of the spectrum is Schottenheimer, who is a decade removed from his last head coaching interview." Once seen as a hot coaching candidate during his time with the Chargers and Jets, "those rumors dried up," as he bounced around the league. Outside of a brief spark in Seattle during the first half of 2020, "there haven't been any hints that he was on radar as an NFL head coach." Still, "things have a funny way of resolving themselves," and after three seasons in Dallas, Schottenheimer "went through the interview process and won over team owner Jerry Jones." Now, he's leading the Cowboys, 'the league's highest-profile job,' despite a promotion that "didn't inspire much excitement." And while some might question the hire, history reminds that "we don't know much about head coaching hires or their chances of succeeding." Barnwell explains that for every uer-successful Sean McVay or Kyle Shanahan, there's a Adam Gase or Nathaniel Hackett cautionary tale. Schottenheimer 'might turn out to be a great coach. He might also be overmatched." Schottenheimer, the son of the late great Marty Schottenheimer, has long waited for this moment. His credentials, however, may not have carried much weight with critics who were stunned by the move. The 51-year-old head coach has had past stints as an offensive coordinator with the New York Jets, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, and before becoming named head coach, was the OC of the Cowboys in 2023 and 2024. While the rookie head coach has shown flashes of promise, most notably during his run in Seattle from 2018 to 2020 when the Seahawks regularly ranked top 10 in red zone and scoring offense, his overall track record has told a different story. The 2020 season marked Russell Wilson's statistical peak, as he set career highs in completions (384), completion percentage (68.8), and touchdown passes (40) under Schottenheimer's guidance. His first season as offensive coordinator in Dallas brought similar highs: the Cowboys led the league in scoring, ranked third in passing yards, and finished second on third downs, while Prescott concluded that season second in MVP voting, finishing with a career high in completions, passer rating, and a league leading 36 touchdown passes. However, despite those standout campaigns, consistency has eluded him. Across 14 years as an NFL offensive coordinator, Schottenheimer has produced just one top-10 total offense finish, back in 2019 with Seattle. Now elevated to head coach, he'll be tasked with more than just calling plays and trying to help Dallas jump back into top 10 territory. The big question: can he help Prescott rediscover his 2023 form after an underwhelming and highly paid 2024 season that saw major regression in an offense that ranked 17th overall a season ago and saw a drop-off in yards and points. Dallas added several new pieces this past offseason most notably WR George Pickens via trade and rookie first round guard Tyler Booker, while revamping the backfield with three new faces. Schottenheimer brought in several new assistants to try and help steer the ship back into the right direction. Only time will tell how Jones' latest coaching experiment will go for the 2025 Cowboys and beyond. On one end, Schottenheimer could surprise the NFL world the same way Sean McVay and Dan Quinn did during their first seasons leading their respective teams, or things could fly south, and the pressure could mount up quickly not just for the head coach, but for Jones, who has been rather more patient with his last two head coaches, to evaluate his decision sooner rather than later. Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
Fox Sports
5 days ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Dak Prescott Still Seeking Playoff Success Going Into 10th Season With Cowboys
Dak Prescott might be the physical embodiment of where the Dallas Cowboys stand as an organization in 2025. Both are rich, famous and desperately seeking postseason success. Going into his 10th season as the Cowboys' quarterback, Prescott has been with the team for nearly one-third of its NFC-worst 29-season drought without a conference title game appearance. He is driven to end it this year, preferably culminating in a Super Bowl ring. "If you don't want to win a Super Bowl, or don't think we can win a Super Bowl, then don't come to Oxnard," Prescott said Thursday. "You're in the wrong place. We know the standard when you wear the star. We know the expectations." Prescott is looking to bounce back from a chaotic 2024, which included becoming the highest-paid player in NFL history following protracted and public contract negotiations before sustaining a season-ending hamstring tear in early November. Back at full health and approaching his 32nd birthday on Tuesday, Prescott finds himself overseeing a much different offense under new coach Brian Schottenheimer than what Mike McCarthy ran the previous five seasons. Prescott is lining up under center more after primarily working out of the shotgun under McCarthy. There is more pre-snap motion and an increased variety of personnel groupings. Prescott likes the changes he has seen so far during the first week of training camp. "You don't know really when we're going to motion, when we're not, when we're doing to hit you with something fast, so it's just another great weapon," Prescott said. Even Prescott's trademark "Here we go" cadence is set aside at times, though Schottenheimer joked it is too ingrained in the public consciousness to be fully abandoned. "I mean, why would we take it away when it's got TikTok memes and stuff like that," Schottenheimer said. "It's one of the best things that he does, man, and so we're going to let him do that. But like everything that we do, we're going to be multiple." Another key asset is the return of Prescott's mobility, which he has displayed by extending plays or scrambling. "It's been a long road to it," Prescott said of his recovery after partially tearing his hamstring off the bone against the Atlanta Falcons on Nov. 3, requiring surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation process. "It's something that I think about every time I step on that field, being thankful for this moment. Not taking anything for granted, and understanding that I've got to continue to push. It's one thing to be healthy, but how much better can I get now that I'm healthy, and that's on the forefront of my mind, so feels good." That injury and Prescott's veteran status led Schottenheimer to say the quarterback's workload in camp will be carefully managed to ensure he will be healthy for the regular season. However, Schottenheimer conceded it might be difficult to get Prescott to dial things back. "He wants to do as much as possible," Schottenheimer said. "Luckily, we have the trump card with him on that. But in all seriousness, there's a smart way to train." Even with the decrease in preseason snaps, Prescott's desire to compete has not diminished, physically or mentally. "It's what I want from this game, and I know it's what everyone wants in this locker room," Prescott said. "Winning. Winning, winning, winning. And, obviously, if we give everything we can, and you go at it, there's a lot of good things and patches and pats on the back, I guess you could say, on the way. "But that's what's on my mind, 10 (years) in and ready to play another 10. But I want that first and foremost now, and that is the urgency that I carry with just the love and the passion of this game is not only wanting to win for myself, but wanting to win for this organization. It's been, well, damn long enough." Reporting by The Associated Press. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily ! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience National Football League Dallas Cowboys recommended Item 1 of 3 Get more from the National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic
Washington Post
5 days ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
Dak Prescott is still seeking playoff success going into his 10th season with the Cowboys
OXNARD, Calif. — Dak Prescott might be the physical embodiment of where the Dallas Cowboys stand as an organization in 2025. Both are rich, famous and desperately seeking postseason success. Going into his 10th season as the Cowboys' quarterback, Prescott has been with the team for nearly one-third of its NFC-worst 29-season drought without a conference title game appearance. He is driven to end it this year, preferably culminating in a Super Bowl ring. 'If you don't want to win a Super Bowl, or don't think we can win a Super Bowl, then don't come to Oxnard. You're in the wrong place,' Prescott said Thursday. 'We know the standard when you wear the star. We know the expectations.' Prescott is looking to bounce back from a chaotic 2024, which included becoming the highest-paid player in NFL history following protracted and public contract negotiations before sustaining a season-ending hamstring tear in early November . Back at full health and approaching his 32nd birthday on Tuesday, Prescott finds himself overseeing a much different offense under new coach Brian Schottenheimer than what Mike McCarthy ran the previous five seasons. Prescott is lining up under center more after primarily working out of the shotgun under McCarthy. There is more pre-snap motion and increased variety of personnel groupings. Prescott likes the changes he has seen so far during the first week of training camp. 'You don't know really when we're going to motion, when we're not, when we're doing to hit you with something fast, so it's just another great weapon,' Prescott said. Even Prescott's trademark 'Here we go' cadence is being set aside at times, though Schottenheimer joked it is too ingrained in the public consciousness to be fully abandoned. 'I mean, why would we take it away when it's got TikTok memes and stuff like that,' Schottenheimer said. 'It's one of the best things that he does, man, and so we're going to let him do that. But like everything that we do, we're going to be multiple.' Another key asset is the return of Prescott's mobility, which he has displayed by extending plays or scrambling. 'It's been a long road to it,' Prescott said of his recovery after partially tearing his hamstring off the bone against the Atlanta Falcons on Nov. 3, requiring surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation process. 'It's something that I think about every time I step on that field, being thankful for this moment. Not taking anything for granted, and understanding that I've got to continue to push. It's one thing to be healthy, but how much better can I get now that I'm healthy, and that's on the forefront of my mind, so feels good.' That injury and Prescott's veteran status led Schottenheimer to say the quarterback's workload in camp will be carefully managed to ensure he will be healthy for the regular season. However, Schottenheimer conceded it might be difficult to get Prescott to dial things back. 'He wants to do as much as possible. Luckily, we have the trump card with him on that,' Schottenheimer said, 'But in all seriousness, there's a smart way to train.' Even with the decrease in preseason snaps, Prescott's desire to compete has not diminished, physically or mentally. 'It's what I want from this game, and I know it's what everyone wants in this locker room,' Prescott said. 'Winning. Winning, winning, winning. And, obviously, if we give we everything we can, and you go at it, there's a lot of good things and patches and pats on the back, I guess you could say, on the way. 'But that's what's on my mind, 10 (years) in and ready to play another 10. But I want that first and foremost now, and that is the urgency that I carry with just the love and the passion of this game is not only wanting to win for myself, but wanting to win for this organization. It's been, well, damn long enough.' ___ AP NFL:
