The Dallas Cowboys have made the final major addition to the coaching staff in the new post-Mike McCarthy era.
Former offensive coordinator, Brian Schottenheimer, was made head coach earlier this month – to the surprise of many, and since then has been assembling his staff.
Ex Chicago Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus was hired to replace the retiring Mike Zimmer as defensive coordinator, and former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator, Nick Sorensen, made the pivot over to the third phase of the ball to become special teams coordinator in Dallas.
After the Cowboys limited their list of potential OC candidates to replace the promoted Schottenheimer, Ken Dorsey entered the fray as a last second possibility.
However, it looks like the franchise will move in a different direction, with the newest offensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys being announced on Friday afternoon, per Ian Rapoport.
Klayton Adams Hired As Dallas Cowboys Offensive Coordinator
It was always going to be interesting to see which direction Schottenheimer – if it was indeed him making the call – would go for his offensive understudy.
Schottenheimer has made it clear he will be calling plays, so the role’s responsibility will likely encompass less ownership than Eberflus’ as DC.
A promotional hire; Adams was previously the Arizona Cardinals‘ offensive line coach; makes sense in this case: play-calling experience is not necessary, and Schottenheimer has the time to help develop his young OC, who will turn 42 next month.
Adams Bought In As OC With A Clear Goal In Mind
There is no doubt that the new offensive coordinator’s ascension to the role will be to assist with one thing – the rushing attack.
The Cowboys had one of the league’s worst run offenses in 2025, and now with lead back, Rico Dowdle set to hit free agency, the team will have to find a way to run the ball without paying a high priced free agent: a team with just $7 million in cap space can ill afford an expensive tailback.
As outlined by the Dallas Cowboys’ official website, Adams has had remarkable success in the past doing just this.
“With Adams operating as O-line coach, the Cardinals’ rushing attack was ranked seventh in the NFL last season in total rushing yards (2,451) and trailed only the Baltimore Ravens, who boast both Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, with a second-best league rushing yards per carry average (5.3 ypc).
The Cardinals were also top-10 in rushing touchdowns (18), fifth-most in carries of 20-39 yards (17), and tied for first in the NFL in carries of 40 yards or more (7).
It’s success that carried over from his inaugural 2023 season with the red birds.”
What’s even more impressive is the dearth of talent the Cardinals managed to dominate on the offensive line with – with former league cast-offs Hijalte Froholdt and Evan Brown turning into very serviceable interior linemen, alongside former first round pick Paris Johnson Jr, who had a marquee second year with the team.
The Cowboys, who in theory have an ultra-talented offensive-line, boasting the talents of Tyler Smith, Terrence Steele and the raw but gifted, Tyler Guyton – along with Brock Hoffman and Cooper Beebe, who both showed starting level capabilities this past season – could see their unit become one of the league’s best with the addition of Adams.
Ultimately, no matter how good the offensive line is, the one thing you always need for a top tier rushing attack is, without question, a top tier running back.
