Cowboy Wire: Redzone issues are keeping this offense from being elite

[Hawkeye0202]

We have two of the best young guards in the league. I'm hopeful we will see significant improvement in this area.


https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/st...them&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=twitter



COWBOYS

Cowboys' red-zone issues are keeping them from being an elite offense​

Reid D Hanson
Cowboys Wire

The 2026 offseason has been all about fixing the Dallas Cowboys’ trainwreck of a defense. After finishing last in the NFL in some of the biggest defensive categories, the focus is as understandable as it is warranted. It’s why the Cowboys swung big on new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, and it’s why the vast majority of resources have swung in that direction over the offseason.

But the Cowboys' offense has issues of their own, and unless they do something to fix it, those issues threaten to undermine the 2026 campaign. The issue is their red-zone efficiency and a closer look indicates these known issues are even worse than we suspected.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Adams said. “If you have a negative yardage run on the 1-yards line, that’s a lot different than a negative yard on the 50.”

I have a lot of confidence Adams and Schotty will get this addressed and we won't see as many problems this year. It doesn't take much to review the tape and see what's going wrong.

 

[GMO415]

So no blame goes to the historically awful defense?

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

So no blame goes to the historically awful defense?

I htink my sarcasmmeter twitched, but these days it's hard to tell.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

I have a lot of confidence Adams and Schotty will get this addressed and we won't see as many problems this year. It doesn't take much to review the tape and see what's going wrong.

Agree........even Dak has mentioned this as an offseason priority to address. When ya get down there, run the darn ball and stop trying to get fancy.

 

[DarkVader33]

Agree........even Dak has mentioned this as an offseason priority to address. When ya get down there, run the darn ball and stop trying to get fancy.

Ask Pete Carroll about that.

 

[pansophy]

I have a lot of confidence Adams and Schotty will get this addressed and we won't see as many problems this year. It doesn't take much to review the tape and see what's going wrong.

I don't know. It's been an issue the last few seasons. Seemed like we tried to start running more, so if we get that together maybe that is the missing piece.

 

[stilltheguru]

Red zone is pretty much all qb with a sprinkle of oline. Gotta be a killer in the red zone. It is what it is

 

[ShortRound]

 

[DarkVader33]

Red zone is pretty much all qb with a sprinkle of oline. Gotta be a killer in the red zone. It is what it is

Is that why I’ve never seen a RB score a TD in the red zone?

 

[stilltheguru]

Is that why I’ve never seen a RB score a TD in the red zone?

You've seen it. But supers bowls and playoff games are won on the backs of the qb in the red zone. You know this.....or you should know it. If not I can't help you big dawg

When I talk about this team I'm talking about playoffs

 

[DarkVader33]

You've seen it. But supers bowls and playoff games are won on the backs of the qb in the red zone. You know this.....or you should know it. If not I can't help you big dawg

When I talk about this team I'm talking about playoffs

Of course the QB is important. But it’s not the only way. RBs have taken over games plenty of times. Have you heard of Emmitt Smith? Haha, just kidding

 

[Kwyn]

We have two of the best young guards in the league. I'm hopeful we will see significant improvement in this area.


https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/st...them&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=twitter



COWBOYS

Cowboys' red-zone issues are keeping them from being an elite offense​

Reid D Hanson
Cowboys Wire

The 2026 offseason has been all about fixing the Dallas Cowboys’ trainwreck of a defense. After finishing last in the NFL in some of the biggest defensive categories, the focus is as understandable as it is warranted. It’s why the Cowboys swung big on new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, and it’s why the vast majority of resources have swung in that direction over the offseason.

But the Cowboys' offense has issues of their own, and unless they do something to fix it, those issues threaten to undermine the 2026 campaign. The issue is their red-zone efficiency and a closer look indicates these known issues are even worse than we suspected.

Tyler Smith did not play like one of the best. Cowboys gave him a record setting contract and he was very much an average guard.

A very disappointing year considering how well he was taken care of.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Tyler Smith did not play like one of the best. Cowboys gave him a record setting contract and he was very much an average guard.

A very disappointing year considering how well he was taken care of.

I agree he didn't have his best season but how much does it impact the redzone issues? He was one of the top run-blocking guards.


https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/tyler-smith/98385
Tyler Smith is an offensive guard for the Dallas Cowboys who earned a 73.5 overall PFF grade in the 2025 season, 15th among 81 qualified offensive guards. He played 1,110 offensive snaps on the season.
His PFF pass-blocking grade of 65.4 ranked 29th among 81 qualified offensive guards. His run-blocking grade of 81.1 ranked 5th at the position.
He allowed 26 total pressures in pass protection. That total included 3 sacks and 0 hits allowed to opposing pass rushers. He was flagged for 11 penalties over the course of the season.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Red zone is pretty much all qb with a sprinkle of oline

I'm not sure about this... what about the running game, play-calling, WRs' routes, RB blocking? Not a lot of margin for errors.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

I don't know. It's been an issue the last few seasons. Seemed like we tried to start running more, so if we get that together maybe that is the missing piece.

This^^^^and play calling IMO. But so many things have to go right......one missed block, bad route, bad pass, wrong play called, and a penalty can cost 7 points.

 

[JW82]

Quite a few times last year, williams would pound it to the 1 on first down and then they'd throw on 2nd and 3rd down. Drives me nuts.

 

[Cowboyny]

We have to remember two seasons ago, they were the league worst in the red zone in both sides of the football, not just the defense. Their run game vastly improved last season, where the prior year they scored less then 10 rushing TD's. Playcalling, penalties and execution all need to improve.

 

[Coogiguy03]

This is exactly why I can't fully get excited about this offense!! This has been an ongoing issue for years now!!

We get the D fixed they get us turnovers we push the ball all the way down the field, get to the red zone and can't punch it in!!! Waste!!

 

[Stash]

Agree........even Dak has mentioned this as an offseason priority to address. When ya get down there, run the darn ball and stop trying to get fancy.

I think the article fails to call the playcalling into question.

For everything I liked in Schotty’s first season, his red zone playcalling wasn’t one of them.

Far too often, he abandoned a running game that was working when he reached the red zone.