The Dallas Cowboys have been building a hype train all offseason following a litany of roster changes. It’s starting to get to the point where even Brian Schottenheimer doesn’t see them like he used to, and in a good way.
In his first season in charge, the Cowboys practiced and played like an average football team. But this season, there’s a palpable difference in every practice that Schottenheimer is noticing. He told Kay Adams of 'Up and Adams' about the huge difference that he's seen from 2025 to now.
“When you watch these guys work, Kay, and you watch them practice. Great example: We scrimmaged the Rams the other day, and we’re working, and I didn’t have conditioning planned, and they said, ‘No, hey, we’re running.’ So, they asked me.”
Cowboys’ new culture is already changing Schottenheimer’s expectations
Dallas isn’t just overhauling their roster; they’re overhauling their entire expectations. Dak Prescott is calling the offense the “GOTI”. He’s also manifesting a Super Bowl LXI appearance through notes from his alarm clock.
It's a massive difference from last season, when the team was focused on finding their footing with a new head coach. Now, the expectations are to compete for a Super Bowl, and the standards to get there are being set by the players, not just the coaches.
That said, it’s not surprising that Prescott was one of the players involved when it came to making the team condition after the joint practice with the Rams.
“I think it started with [DeMarvion] Overshown, and then to Dak [Prescott], and then it was happening.”
It’s not like the joint practice was easy, and the Cowboys needed extra work. Many reported that it was notably frisky, with trash talk and an NSFW wager made by Prescott to the Rams. Though they managed to avoid a major fight, the energy was still chippy and competitive throughout the day.
Regardless, the Dallas players were still willing to condition after the grueling practice.
When Schottenheimer was later asked if he’d ever seen a team condition after a joint practice in his 27 years of coaching, he didn’t mince his words.
“No, I have not. Especially after a joint practice.”
We can also thank owner Jerry Jones for stepping back a bit to give Schotty and Christian Parker the keys to operate. Of course, Jones will still make the final calls, but fans must give him credit for allowing Schotty to do his thing. It's led to player leadership, and that's something you don't want to get in the way of.
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