Cowboys Shake Up Defense With Key Trades Aiming for Playoff Push

Brian Schottenheimer is an American football coach currently serving as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, a role he assumed in 2025. He began his NFL coaching career in 1997 as an assistant with the St. Louis Rams and has worked for nine NFL teams over nearly three decades. Schottenheimer spent notable periods as an offensive coordinator, including three seasons with the Seattle Seahawks under head coach Pete Carroll, where he helped develop quarterback Russell Wilson, who threw 106 touchdown passes during Schottenheimer’s tenure. He also coached running back Chris Carson to two 1,000-yard seasons and contributed to the success of receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Prior to his current head coaching role, Schottenheimer served as the quarterbacks coach for the San Diego Chargers from 2002 to 2005, during which he helped quarterback Drew Brees earn the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award and Pro Bowl honors. His coaching career reflects a strong offensive background, particularly in quarterback development and offensive strategy. Brian Schottenheimer is the son of the late Marty Schottenheimer, a respected NFL head coach with over 200 regular-season wins. Brian has often cited his father and Pete Carroll as major influences on his coaching philosophy. His appointment as the Cowboys' head coach was supported by endorsements from notable figures, including Jerry Jones, the Cowboys' owner, and others familiar with his work. Since taking over the Dallas Cowboys, Schottenheimer has been credited with uplifting team morale and earning players’ respect, marking a significant step in his career as he transitions into a head coaching role in the NFL’s competitive environment. His career continues to evolve as he leads one of the league’s most high-profile franchises.

Dak Prescott, born July 29, 1993, in Sulphur, Louisiana, is a prominent American football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL. He played college football at Mississippi State, where he distinguished himself by becoming the fourth player in FBS history to pass for 60 touchdowns and rush for 40 touchdowns in a career[1]. Prescott was selected by the Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft (135th overall)[1]. His NFL career quickly advanced when starting quarterback Tony Romo suffered an injury in the 2016 preseason, thrusting Prescott into the starting role. He capitalized on this opportunity by leading the Cowboys to a 13–3 record in his rookie season, an NFC-best, while forming a dynamic offensive duo with rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott[2]. Prescott set several rookie records for the Cowboys, including passing yards, touchdowns, and passer rating[6]. Since then, Prescott has been the Cowboys' starting quarterback and a key team leader. Despite regular-season success, the Cowboys have consistently struggled to advance deep into the playoffs, with repeated early postseason exits in recent years, including losses to the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers[2]. The team notably holds a record streak of 13 playoff appearances without reaching the conference championship game since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger[2]. As of the 2024 season, Prescott is entering the final year of his contract with Dallas. Contract negotiations have stalled, and while Prescott remains focused on leading the Cowboys to playoff success, he has expressed openness to playing for another team after the current contract expires[3]. He continues to be regarded as the franchise's long-term quarterback solution, with executive leadership expressing confidence in his ability to lead the team to a championship[3]. Prescott is noted for his poise, leadership, and dual-threat capability as both a passer and runner. At 6'2" and 238 pounds, he remains active and a central figure in the Cowboys' offense[4][6].

Quinnen Williams is an American professional football defensive tackle currently playing for the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League (NFL). Born on December 20, 1997, in Birmingham, Alabama, Williams played college football at the University of Alabama, where he established himself as a top defensive prospect. He was selected third overall by the New York Jets in the 2019 NFL Draft and quickly became a cornerstone of their defense. Williams has built a reputation as a dominant interior lineman, known for his strength, quickness, and ability to disrupt opposing offenses. Over his NFL career, he has started 94 of 98 regular-season games, amassing 322 total tackles, 40 sacks, eight forced fumbles, 14 pass breakups, an interception, and a safety. He has earned Pro Bowl honors in each of the past three seasons, including a First-Team All-Pro selection in 2022 after recording 12 sacks. His consistent performance has made him one of the league’s premier defensive tackles. In 2024, Williams was traded to the Dallas Cowboys before the NFL trade deadline, in exchange for defensive tackle Mazi Smith and multiple draft picks. The move was widely regarded as a major upgrade for Dallas’s defensive line, adding a proven playmaker to their roster. Williams, now 27 years old, remains a key figure in the NFL, with his recent transfer to the Cowboys drawing significant attention as the team looks to bolster its defense for a playoff push. Williams’s career highlights include his college success at Alabama, his high draft status, and his sustained excellence in the NFL. His current relevance is underscored by his role as a top defensive lineman for the Cowboys, where he is expected to make an immediate impact.

Logan Wilson is a professional American football linebacker currently playing for the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL. Born on July 8, 1996, he played college football at the University of Wyoming, where he was a standout defensive player. Wilson ranked fourth in Mountain West Conference history with 421 career tackles, including 35 tackles for loss, seven sacks, 17 pass breakups, and 10 interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns[4][8]. Wilson was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He gradually became a key player for the Bengals' defense, known for his speed, coverage skills, and tackling ability. In his rookie season, he played in 12 games, starting two. By 2021, he became the "green dot" communicator on defense, a leadership role calling plays on the field. That season, he recorded 100 tackles, four interceptions, and one sack, contributing to the Bengals' deep playoff run culminating in a Super Bowl LVI appearance. Wilson did not miss a snap in the postseason and made 39 tackles, the most by any NFL player in the postseason since Ray Lewis in 2012[2][5]. Through the 2023 season, Wilson played 68 regular-season games with 58 starts for Cincinnati, accumulating strong defensive stats including multiple double-digit tackle games in both the regular season and playoffs[2]. In 2023, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys, where he currently wears number 55 and continues to play linebacker[1][3]. Wilson is recognized for his leadership, durability, and all-around defensive capabilities, making him a valuable asset on NFL defenses. His recent move to the Cowboys marks the latest chapter in his professional career.