On October 20, 2026, Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones said the organization absolutely believes in head coach Brian Schottenheimer. The discussion centers on two established marks: Dallas is number one in penalties and penalty yards under Schottenheimer, and the defense has allowed 20 or more points in 13 straight games, a franchise record and the longest active streak in the league. Schottenheimer has since said publicly that Pickens must block safeties and corners in the run game like Javonte Williams, and that he knows what a great coach he is, against a 9-13-1 NFL head coaching record. What those records mean for his standing remains the open question.