ARLINGTON
Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said he will not make a coaching change following the team's 33-30 overtime loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
Jones expressed confidence in head coach Brian Schottenheimer, saying "a lot of people let Brian down today." He added that any criticism directed at Schottenheimer could be shared broadly across the team.
The Cowboys held a 24-10 lead with 14 minutes, 20 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter before the collapse. Quarterback Dak Prescott had scored on a 5-yard touchdown run to establish that advantage.
According to Elias Sports Bureau, the loss matched the largest blown fourth-quarter lead in team history. The Cowboys previously lost similar leads in 2011 against the New York Jets and in 2022 against the Green Bay Packers. Before Sunday, Dallas had a 202-0-1 record when leading by 14 or more points in the fourth quarter at home, including playoff games. The team's all-time record in such situations now stands at 342-3-1.
Dallas became the first NFL team this season to lose a game after holding at least a 14-point fourth-quarter lead. Teams across the league were 44-0-1 in such situations entering Sunday's games. ESPN Analytics calculated the Cowboys' win probability peaked at 98.3 percent with a 10-point lead and 3 minutes, 24 seconds left.
Jones described the outcome as "an indictment of the whole show," indicating a systemic issue rather than focusing blame on one individual. Schottenheimer's record as Cowboys coach stands at 10-14-1.
Schottenheimer acknowledged his disappointment but said he maintains belief in his staff and players. "I'm a worker, I'm a problem solver," he said. "We have guys that want to be great and guys that believe in what we're doing as a football team in all three phases."
The Cowboys hold a 3-5 record. Dallas remains in playoff contention primarily due to overall struggles within the NFC East, though the team has fallen behind the New York Giants, who stand at 4-2-1.
Jones has made only one in-season head coaching change during his tenure, which began in 1989. In 2010, he replaced Wade Phillips with Jason Garrett when the Cowboys were 1-7. Garrett held the position until 2019.
Jones referenced that past change, saying, "I made a change and I don't want to mention it because I'm not proud of it," but clarified, "I don't see that here" in the current situation.
Senior defensive assistant Mike Pettine is the only coach on the staff with prior NFL head coaching experience. Pettine, who joined the team in Week 5, compiled a 10-22 record with the Cleveland Browns during the 2014-15 seasons.
Quarterback Dak Prescott echoed the sentiment of shared accountability. "It's all of us," he said. "Don't put the blame on one person. The game is about all 11 that touch the field and every person that has a part in it, coaches and support staff."
