Jerry Jones Backs Cowboys Coach; Colts’ Steichen on Shaky Ground
Jerry Jones said Brian Schottenheimer won't be fired after the Cowboys' overtime loss to Arizona, while the Colts' Shane Steichen faces an uncertain Monday after a 42-7 defeat.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said after Sunday’s overtime home loss to the Arizona Cardinals that coach Brian Schottenheimer is not about to be fired. In Indianapolis, the situation is different: after a 42-7 loss to Jacksonville, coach Shane Steichen has no such public assurance, and the source report suggests a dismissal could come as early as Monday.
What happened
Both teams lost on Sunday, but the public responses from their owners diverged sharply.
In Dallas, the Cowboys led 14-3 at halftime and 17-10 after three quarters before losing in overtime. Jones told reporters afterward that firing Schottenheimer is “not in my mind at this time,” and he spread blame across the team rather than the coach, saying “a lot of people let Brian down today.”
In Indianapolis, the Colts were beaten 42-7 by the Jaguars. The franchise has now lost four straight games, fired its general manager, traded multiple star players, and is close to trading running back Jonathan Taylor. Steichen said he would “evaluate everything, every position going forward” when asked whether Daniel Jones would remain the starting quarterback.
The source report, by Armando Salguero, argues that both coaches are headed toward dismissals and that only the owners’ reluctance has delayed them. It states that Steichen’s ouster could come as early as Monday, and that if it does, defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo or offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter could serve as interim head coach. Both have interviewed for NFL head coach jobs in the past.
Why it matters
Jones’s comments suggest Schottenheimer’s job is safe for now, but the underlying numbers are not reassuring. The Cowboys have lost at home three times in four games and have won consecutive games only once under Schottenheimer. Jones’s public backing may be a temporary reprieve rather than a long-term endorsement.
In Indianapolis, the source report describes a broader teardown: a fired GM, traded stars, and a coach who now appears willing to reconsider the quarterback he backed in the offseason. That combination likely points to a full rebuild, and Steichen’s future is the most visible question hanging over it.
Key facts at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Cowboys result | Lost to Cardinals in overtime after leading 14-3 at halftime and 17-10 after three quarters |
| Jones on Schottenheimer | Firing is “not in my mind at this time” |
| Colts result | Lost 42-7 to Jaguars; fourth straight loss |
| Colts recent moves | Fired GM, traded multiple star players, near Jonathan Taylor trade |
| Steichen on QB | Will “evaluate everything, every position going forward” |
| Possible interim coaches | Lou Anarumo (DC) or Jim Bob Cooter (OC) |
What this means for you
- Fantasy football and betting readers should treat the Colts’ lineup as unsettled until Steichen’s status and the quarterback plan are clarified.
- Cowboys fans should read Jones’s comments as a short-term reprieve, not a guarantee; the source report notes the team has won consecutive games only once under Schottenheimer.
- If you follow either team, watch for an Indianapolis announcement Monday; the source report says a Steichen dismissal could come that soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is Brian Schottenheimer being fired?
Not according to Jerry Jones, who said after Sunday’s loss that firing the coach is “not in my mind at this time.”
Is Shane Steichen being fired?
The source report says a dismissal could come as early as Monday, but no decision has been confirmed.
Who would coach the Colts if Steichen is fired?
The source report names defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo or offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter as possible interim options.
What to watch next
Whether the Colts make a coaching change on Monday, and whether Jones’s public support for Schottenheimer holds if the Cowboys keep losing.
- Jerry Jones said firing Brian Schottenheimer is 'not in my mind at this time' after the Cowboys' overtime loss to Arizona.
- The Colts lost 42-7 to Jacksonville, their fourth straight defeat, and the source report says Shane Steichen could be fired as early as Monday.
- Indianapolis has already fired its GM and traded multiple star players, and Steichen said he will 'evaluate everything' at every position.
