BREAKING RUMOR: Cowboys Reportedly Eye SHOCKING Move to Fire Brian Schottenheimer and Bring Former Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin to Dallas

DALLAS, TX — A seismic rumor is rocking the NFL coaching landscape this week, with league insiders suggesting the Dallas Cowboys could be preparing a blockbuster move to terminate the brief Brian Schottenheimer era and pursue former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.

The speculation, which originated from a report by NFL insider Josina Anderson, indicates that an “ownership family in the NFC” is “very fond of Mike Tomlin” and is “open to wooing Tomlin to their franchise to potentially replace their current head coach if the ship isn’t righted for their team this season” . While Anderson did not name the team, the circumstantial evidence pointing toward Dallas has sent shockwaves through Cowboys Nation.

The Perfect Storm in Dallas

The rumor mill churned into overdrive following the Cowboys’ dismal 23-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, dropping Dallas to a 2-4 record. The defeat marked the second consecutive game where an offense featuring Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and George Pickens failed to score more than 17 points .

Schottenheimer, who replaced Mike McCarthy before the 2025 season, now holds a 9-13-1 record as head coach . The primary criticism has shifted from the defense—which was expected to be a weakness—to Schottenheimer’s own specialty: the offense. Former NFL wide receiver Braylon Edwards publicly blasted Schottenheimer as a “mid OC,” citing his time with the New York Jets, and questioned whether the coach was ever the offensive mastermind he was marketed to be .

Despite the mounting pressure, Cowboys ownership has publicly maintained its support. Executive Vice President Stephen Jones told 105.3 The Fan on Monday, “There’s not any question in Jerry and my mind,” regarding their belief in Schottenheimer . However, Anderson’s report noted that the mystery coach “needs to make the playoffs at least to keep their job,” a benchmark that appears increasingly distant for a 2-4 team .

Why Tomlin?

The connection to Tomlin is not arbitrary. The former Steelers coach stepped down in January 2026 after 19 seasons in Pittsburgh, compiling a 193-114-2 regular-season record and never suffering a losing season . He won Super Bowl XLIII and made 13 playoff appearances, establishing himself as one of the most respected defensive minds in football.

Tomlin spent the 2026 season as an analyst for NBC’s Football Night in America, and while he has stated he did not anticipate coaching in the near future, his name has inevitably been linked to every potential vacancy . The Cowboys’ defensive struggles—which prompted a players-only meeting after Week 5—are precisely the type of issue Tomlin built his reputation fixing. During his tenure in Pittsburgh, Tomlin fielded a top-10 defense 12 times .

There is, however, a significant financial hurdle. Tomlin earned approximately $17 million annually with the Steelers, nearly four times what Jerry Jones currently pays Schottenheimer, leading to fair criticism that Jones has historically gone “cheap” on coaching hires .

The Tomlin Critique That Preceded the Rumor

Adding a layer of irony to the speculation, Tomlin recently criticized the Cowboys’ players-only meeting on the New Heights podcast. “I think you’re dead,” Tomlin said of teams resorting to such meetings. “If it did occur, I’d like to not hear about it. The fact that you hear about it is what makes it B.S.” .

Days later, Anderson’s report linked Tomlin to an NFC team. The timing has not gone unnoticed.

Is Dallas Actually the Mystery Team?

Several NFC teams could fit Anderson’s description, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Todd Bowles), Atlanta Falcons (Kevin Stefanski), and Washington Commanders (Dan Quinn) . However, the Cowboys remain the most logical landing spot given Jerry Jones’ history of aggressive moves and his documented admiration for Tomlin.

Stephen Jones attempted to pour cold water on the speculation Monday, insisting the organization likes its players and coaches . Schottenheimer himself deflected questions about his job security, stating, “I’m focusing on the process of turning this around for myself and the players” .

What’s Next

Dallas faces a defining stretch with three upcoming opponents who also carry 2-4 records. Should the Cowboys fail to right the ship, the calls for Tomlin will only grow louder. For now, the rumor remains just that—a rumor. But in Dallas, where the head coach is always one loss away from a crisis, the Mike Tomlin watch has officially begun.

As one league source put it, “Carousel Season situations stay fluid” . In Dallas, they tend to be a hurricane.