Cowboys QB questions offensive identity

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott questioned the effectiveness of his team's offensive scheme on Thursday, stating that the group is unsure if it is proud of its current identity after eight games.

"Is it one we're proud of? I don't know," Prescott told reporters in Frisco, Texas. "We'll be better, I can promise."

The criticism aligns with statistical trends showing a less varied attack in 2026. Despite averaging 27.4 points per game, the Cowboys have reduced their use of complex pre-snap actions. The team ranks second-to-last in the NFL for pre-snap motion at 36.5 percent, a sharp decline from last season's 56.6 percent.

The shift in strategy is evident in other formations as well. Dallas now operates at a 30.4 percent under-center rate, placing it 22nd out of 32 teams. The play-action rate has also dropped from 28.2 percent a year ago to a level that ranks 21st in the league.

These changes coincide with the arrival of offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. Prescott indicated a philosophical difference regarding the use of motion. Schottenheimer has suggested that using motion while trailing is difficult and can "cloud the picture" for the quarterback.

Prescott argues that motion serves multiple tactical purposes, including disguising intended plays and revealing defensive matchups. "Sometimes, it's [motion] just to dress it up and take the defense," Prescott said. He noted that moving players helps create different alignments and provides essential information before the snap.

The offense also struggles on the ground, ranking eighth-worst in the NFL with 94.1 rushing yards per game. The team runs the football on only 32.5 percent of its plays, the fifth-lowest rate in the league.