A Cowboys legend believes Brian Schottenheimer has changed the team’s culture

When the Dallas Cowboys surprised the NFL by promoting Brian Schottenheimer as their head coach in 2025 instead of pursuing a more established name from outside the organization, the decision raised questions among fans and analysts.

The Cowboys have full confidence in the evolution of their offense

While some believed the franchise avoided paying a high price for a marquee coach, others argued that continuity with Schottenheimer could be the key, especially after Dallas’ offense showed promising signs under his leadership.

Now, with Schottenheimer entering his second year in charge, the perception inside the organization appears to have changed. During an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show , Cowboys legend Michael Irvin praised the coach’s work and said the team’s culture has taken a positive turn in 2026.

“I’m so happy with the decision that they made… to hire him. Because I was like, man, we need somebody from outside coming in to change the whole culture, but he has changed the culture there. And people, you know, he’s changed the culture in such a way that I think now, here from here on, it goes different,” Irvin said.

The former wide receiver also highlighted how the arrival of players with experience elsewhere has helped change the mindset inside the locker room, using George Pickens as an example.

“And I believe, Rich, what has happened is an outsider came in to show everybody how blessed you are to be with the Cowboys. George Pickens making the decision that you just talked about to say, ‘Hey, wait a minute, I’ve been other places. I know how great this is. See, all the other people, you guys have never been other places.’ So you just, you’re spoiled with this. But the decision George Pickens made, I think it’s a galvanizing decision. A decision that says, ‘Oh, we must really have something great.’ If he didn’t go through that.”

Although Dallas did not win more games in Schottenheimer’s first season than they did in Mike McCarthy ’s final year, the team’s offensive performance showed significant improvement. The Cowboys went from finishing 2024 ranked 11th in passing offense and 27th in rushing offense to becoming the second-best passing offense and ninth-best rushing offense in 2025.

Additionally, the arrival of Christian Parker as the new defensive coordinator and the implementation of a system influenced by Vic Fangio ’s defensive scheme have raised expectations surrounding the team.

After years of falling short in their pursuit of a championship, the Cowboys are generating optimism once again. If the offensive growth continues and the revamped defense takes another step forward, 2026 could finally be the year Dallas returns to the NFL’s elite contenders.