Brian Schottenheimer seems open to small but risky tweak that could improve the Dallas Cowboys' offense in a significant way
One seemingly small yet risky tweak to the Dallas Cowboys offense could result in vast improvement. Based on Brian Schottenheimer's recent comments on the matter, he appears to be open to it. The new Cowboys head coach met with reporters on Wednesday at the NFL annual meetings in Florida and addressed the state of the offensive line. […]
One seemingly small yet risky tweak to the Dallas Cowboys offense could result in vast improvement. Based on Brian Schottenheimer's recent comments on the matter, he appears to be open to it.
The new Cowboys head coach met with reporters on Wednesday at the NFL annual meetings in Florida and addressed the state of the offensive line. Going into the 2025 NFL offseason, there's one specific position that appears to be up for grabs: Right guard.
Following Zack Martin's retirement, Brock Hoffman is the odds-on favorite for the gig. After all, he looked more than capable in seven starts in 2024 as he provided a fresh edge to the run game with his violent style of play. When it comes to running the ball, having a nasty presence in the trenches like Hoffman's can go a long way.
However, as an former undrafted free agent, there are questions about how reliable he could be as a 17-game starter. Schottenheimer expressed confidence in Hoffman's ability to start but did bring up his versatility to play both center and guard and suggested that's something the Cowboys still need to figure out.
"I would never bet against Brock Hoffman," Schottenheimer told reporters. "Brock Hoffman, man, if I was in a back room of a bar and had to get out, the way he's wired, he would be one of the first guys I want with me. Absolutely, he's just wired the right way. The flexibility, being able to play center and guard, of course, is the puzzle we have to fit together. Brock Hoffman, the intensity and the way he plays the game is hard to find."
Schottenheimer's comment about the young player being able to also play center prompted a natural follow-up: Is the team intending to keep Cooper Beebe at center?
"Right now, yeah," the Cowboys head coach replied, adding he always wants competition at every position.
Though the response indicates that's where the Cowboys are leaning on playing Beebe, Schottenheimer's comments on both players indicates the team is open to moving some pieces around. When Beebe was drafted in the third round last year, it was clear the way to play him immediately was at center, a position he had never played at Kansas State.
Beebe held his own in 2024 but if the Cowboys want to play him in the position he's best, that could very well be pushing him back to guard. With former Kansas State OL coach Conor Riley joining Dallas, the transition could be even easier as he's the coach that made him an NFL prospect in college.
Sure, it could be a risky move as continuity is important for offensive linemen but if the staff determines Beebe plays better at guard than he does at center, it could translate into an improved offensive line.
One of the best things Beebe did in college was pulling and getting to the second level, something he'd be more freed up to do if he plays guard. Having a duo made up of Tyler Smith and Beebe could result in a violent run game, which is what the coaching staff has preached this offseason.
And even if Hoffman was a decent guard following Martin's injury, he could compete for the starting job at center without being much of a downgrade. The potential switch has its pros and cons and Schottenheimer and his staff could look into it early in the offseason.
Based on the head coach's comments, a shake up on the OL is a possibility, even if the plan "right now" is to keep Beebe at center.
