Dallas Needs a New Coach: Would He Want this 26' Roster?

The Cowboys lose out on top head coaching candidates because of how much money they’ve committed to Dak Prescott and this roster. Everybody has a list of coaches they want in Dallas, myself included.

What I’m wondering is, how many of those coaches would take one look at this roster, the contracts, and decide they have much better opportunities somewhere else.

Dak Prescott isn’t young or cheap, and the next coach would inherit him and a list of other expensive players he might not want. If I were a candidate with options, one of the first questions I would have is, how much freedom do I have to make roster changes?

I wouldn’t take this job just because of the nostalgia of the Dallas Cowboys name. That nostalgia has lost its luster.

Dak Prescott stands on the field with his back to the camera in a Dallas Cowboys uniform. Staring up into the stands.

How Much Could the Next Coach Change?

Prescott’s deal runs through 2028, includes a no-trade clause, and carries a cap hit of about $76 million in 2027. Dallas can lower that number with another restructure, but that only pushes the cost further into the future.

If Dallas replaces coach Brian Schottenheimer after this season. Dak will turn 34 during the new coach’s first year. He’ll have to potentially install a new offense, fix the roster, and get the team to win all while wondering how much longer he can build around Dak.

Would that not concern anyone thinking about being head coach of this team?

Not only do you have to worry about Dak Prescott’s contract, the new coach would have to take on contracts of other high-priced players not living up to the money.

DaRon Bland, for instance, was given a four-year extension worth $90 million in new money and later restructured to push money into the future. This might have been OK if Bland wasn’t playing terrible football.

This is a guy who got paid and stopped trying.

I want a corner who can cover somebody. A new coach shouldn’t feel obligated to build his secondary around a player just because he got a big pay day after a big season three years ago. This contract becomes a problem if a new coach wants to replace him.

The Next Coach’s Money Has Already Been Used

A promising quarterback on a rookie contract would get my attention if I were choosing between jobs. That contract leaves more money for protection, defensive help, and depth. It gives me a chance to spend money on players who fit what I’m trying to build.

Is there risk in that young quarterback? Yes, but there is also risk in taking a job with an expensive roster and your job is to fix it.

Terence Steele is another one of those expensive players that would make me question being head coach. He has a revised contract worth $33 million over three years, while PFF’s rankings has him 63rd out of 69 qualifying tackles.

If I’m an incoming coach, and I’m evaluating, the right tackle is a position I would need to replace despite the big money.

Kenny Clark would also get some scrutiny. He has a deal averaging about $21.3 million annually, and he was ranked 59th out of 130 interior defensive lineman. Could you give him a pass because of his resume?

All in all, those decisions add up. The next coach could need a different corner, tackle, and defensive lineman while working around a top five quarterback salary. Moving on leaves dead money on the cap while having to pay for replacements.

I can see why a top candidate would prefer a team with less expensive decisions to be made.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones sits at a table during a Cowboys press conference talking about his new head coach Brian Shottenheimer.

Jerry Jones Has Shown His Thinking

When Jerry Jones was asked why Dallas didn’t interview Ben Johnson during the 2025 search, he defended Brian Schottenheimer’s qualifications and specifically pointed to his ability to coach Dak.

Doesn’t that sound like someone who got turned down by a top candidate? It sure does to me, and then Jerry had to sell it like it was his idea not to interview Johnson.

If a candidate thinks he can win with Dak, let him explain how. If he thinks Dallas needs to prepare for a different quarterback, hear him out. This was a case of not wanting to inherit an expensive and old quarterback.

I would like for ownership to listen to these candidates, instead of worrying about how much they have invested in players.

The money already spent should not determine if a player deserves to keep his job.

Dak has played great football, Bland had a historic season, and Clark has an accomplished career, but none of that should stop the next coach from figuring out if those players are part of his long-term plans.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones stands on the field holding the arm of Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott before a game.

Jerry Jones Has to Give Something Up

I think these contracts make Dallas less attractive to some of the coaches fans want most. Another opening could offer a promising young quarterback, more spending room, and greater authority over personnel. Could you blame a coach for choosing that path?

Before I took the Cowboys job, I would want Jerry to answer one question: What happens when I decide one of your expensive players needs to go?

If I’m responsible for winning, I need the authority to get rid of or bench struggling players. Their contracts shouldn’t affect those moves, and they definitely shouldn’t prevent the conversation.

I think Dallas will struggle to attract the best candidates if Jerry expects them to defend decisions they didn’t make. A coach with options can take another job and Jerry will still be here, explaining why the next hire is the right man to fix the same problems.