The Dallas Cowboys are struggling through a difficult 2-4 start to the 2026 NFL season, prompting offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to call out key personnel for better execution. Dallas has scored fewer than 20 points in consecutive starts by veteran quarterback Dak Prescott for the first time in seven years. With the team searching for immediate solutions, Schottenheimer has publicly challenged star wide receiver George Pickens to elevate his overall commitment and impact in the running game.
Pickens delivered a massive 2025 campaign with 1,429 receiving yards, which ranked third across the entire league. However, his production has dipped noticeably in 2026, totaling just 428 receiving yards through six games and dropping him outside the top ten league-wide receivers. While target numbers and catch statistics often dominate public discussions, Schottenheimer emphasized that Pickens must influence games even when the football is not coming his way. According to CBS Sports reporting on the Cowboys offensive struggles, the coaching staff needs Pickens to step up on perimeter blocks to help ignite a faltering ground attack.
The Dallas rushing attack currently sits at 31st in the league, creating an unbalanced offense that puts excessive pressure on Prescott to carry the burden through the air. Schottenheimer explained that when Pickens executes perimeter blocking against cornerbacks and safeties, defenses are forced to give soft coverage inside. Conversely, when Pickens does not engage fully, opposing safeties get clear, unblocked runs at Dallas ball carriers near the line of scrimmage.
Demanding Effort to Fix the Cowboys Offense
Schottenheimer compared the required perimeter effort to running back Javonte Williams, who regularly picks up blitzing defenders in pass protection to buy valuable time for receivers. The offensive coordinator stressed that blocking corners and picking up safeties forms a critical part of a team-first mindset. When primary wideouts perform those unselfish duties on early downs, the entire system operates with far greater balance and efficiency.
The lack of run support has severely hampered Javonte Williams and the overall ground scheme this year. Dallas plans to establish Williams early in future contests to build a steady rushing rhythm and keep defenses honest. However, successful execution depends heavily on game flow and scoreboard management. The Cowboys have spent 3 hours, 23 minutes, and 30 seconds playing from behind this season, which ranks as the fifth-most time trailing among all NFL teams.
Falling behind early forces the offense into predictable passing situations, taking away crucial opportunities to build a consistent run game. Schottenheimer acknowledged that calling more runs is essential for offensive balance, but early deficits often derail those game plans before they develop. Fixing perimeter blocking on early downs offers a realistic path to keeping drives alive and avoiding obvious passing scenarios.
Systemic Issues Behind the Dallas Slump
The issues extending across the team go beyond individual perimeter blocking on Sundays. In his second year calling plays for Dallas in 2026, Schottenheimer has drawn heavy scrutiny for a system that appears increasingly predictable and easy to defend. Statistical trends highlight significant drops in modern scheme usage across the entire offense.
Dallas currently ranks second-to-last in the NFL in pre-snap motion rate at just 42.7 percent. Furthermore, the offense ranks 28th out of 32 teams in under-center snap rate at 30.4 percent, while placing 20th in play-action frequency. These low usage rates make the offense far easier for opposing defensive coordinators to read and diagnose prior to the snap.
Addressing the growing backlash surrounding his scheme, Schottenheimer stated that some of the criticism directed at his play-calling is deserved. He emphasized that both his coaching and the players’ execution must improve immediately. Growing up as the son of Marty Schottenheimer, a head coach who spent 21 years in the league, Schottenheimer noted that pressure and intense media scrutiny simply come with the job description.
Looking Ahead to Turn the Season Around
Despite the heavy criticism from fans and media members, Schottenheimer expressed firm confidence in his coaching ability and the overall potential of his roster. He explained that he tunes out most outside noise while focusing strictly on internal fixes. To compete for an NFC East title, Dallas must resolve its operational flaws and re-establish a physical, balanced offensive identity.
The road forward requires complete cooperation from top playmakers like Pickens and Williams. As detailed in the CBS Sports report on Dallas offensive changes, establishing physical play on the outside will open up much-needed running lanes inside.
Dallas cannot afford further regression if it plans to remain relevant in the NFC playoff chase. By demanding more accountability from receivers on perimeter blocks and committing to a balanced play-calling approach, Schottenheimer hopes to jumpstart a unit currently searching for answers. The upcoming slate of games will reveal whether Pickens and his teammates respond to the challenge on the field.