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Many folks are optimistic in their outlook for the 2025 season, and most of that appears to be based on players maintaining their health. But what about the fact that this is an almost entirely new coaching staff with assistants who are both new to the NFL and to their positional responsibilities? In my opinion, that nearly subtracts two wins from any projections of the final record for 2025. Too pessimistic? – Will Lot/Carrollton, TX
Nick: I'm not exactly sure what kind of logic and equation you came up with for the two losses subtraction. Doesn't seem to be any scientific studies on that scenario. I know we've seen teams with new coaches have playoff success right away and others have had long seasons. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason behind new coaches without experience vs. veteran coaches.
What I like about this staff is there is a healthy mix of both. You can see Schottenheimer hasn't been a head coach but he's been around it his entire life in some form or fashion. The coordinators have either been a head coach or considered the hot name on the block.
there is a healthy mix of experience on this staff. I don't think it's any reason to be worried or excited. It's just different. and that's not a bad thing.
Patrik: I see the logic, most certainly. It routinely takes time for a brand new coaching staff to find their chemistry and stride. And though I agree with your thought process, there's a counterpoint to be made regarding this coaching staff: many of them already know and/or have worked with each other in the past. Klayton Adams spent time with Matt Eberflus in Indy. Eberflus isn't new at all to the Cowboys, so it's not a culture shock and, by the way, Andre Curtis and David Overstreet, Dave Borgonzi and Bryan Bing were with him in Chicago.
Aaron Whitecotton brought Tanzel Smart with him from New York, and not to mention several on both side of the ball have crossed paths at some point in their NFL coaching career with Schottenheimer — particularly during his time with the Seahawks during the Pete Carroll era — and there are also familiar faces like Lunda Wells and Darian Thompson.
This, and more, paints a more clear picture in that this new coaching staff isn't entirely new to each other.
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