LANDOVER, Md. – When Brian Schottenheimer became head coach in January, he talked a lot about “culture.” He emphasized a key phrase: “Compete Every Day.”
This idea of competition began right away, even off the field. The team held contests like free-throw shooting and set up a ping-pong table in the locker room. Schottenheimer wanted his players to embrace competition at every turn.
You can’t just throw the phrase “Compete Every Day” on a T-shirt without expecting it to apply all the time, right? Everyone, including the team’s star quarterback, needs to embody this spirit.
Dak Prescott recently expressed his desire to play, especially on Christmas. His point was clear—if he’s missing time with family, he’d rather be on the field than sitting on the sidelines. Many people can relate to this feeling. As a father, missing out on family moments is tough. Watching a meaningless game is not the same as playing in one.
The Cowboys faced off in a nail-biter. At one point, they led 21-3, and some wondered if a backup player would get a chance to play. But Prescott played through every snap and even executed a sneak on the final play to run out the clock. This was part of a record-setting achievement: the Cowboys converted their sixth consecutive fourth down.
Their performance on fourth down is not just a stat; it reveals trust. Schottenheimer trusts Prescott and his teammates to make those crucial plays. For example, there was a key moment when Prescott was given advance notice that he had two plays to make a conversion. That’s how this team is built—on trust.
In one highlight, Prescott connected with Hunter Luepke for 14 yards on a critical third-and-16. That set up a key play for a first down later in the drive, leading to a field goal.
However, the trust doesn’t extend fully to the defense. It seems Schottenheimer has to rely heavily on offense, which raises the stakes. The Cowboys’ defense often allows unexpected performances from lesser-known players, such as Josh Johnson, who scored multiple touchdowns. This inconsistency has plagued them all season.
Looking ahead, balancing trust will be essential. The Cowboys boast a high-scoring offense, averaging about 30 points per game, yet their record is just seven wins. This disparity stems from not having a reliable defense.
In 2026, this must change. Schottenheimer’s goal should be to elevate the defense to match the offense. Doing so would create a team capable of truly competing every day, bolstering the culture he’s aiming to build.
In summary, if the Cowboys want to thrive, all parts of the team need to work in harmony. Trust and performance have to align, and that begins in practice today.
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