Overlooked Cowboys coach’s time in Dallas could be over very soon, and the potential loss could be more important than we realize
Cowboys QB coach Steve Shimko could climb up the ladder in 2026.
When the Dallas Cowboys hired Brian Schottenheimer to be their head coach, he declared he would put together a “kickass coaching staff.” It might take him only one year to lose an important member of it.
Connor Orr, an NFL insider that closely covers the coaching carousel around the year, recently Cowboys QB coach Steve Shimko as a potential offensive coordinator candidate for 2026. And based on a recent shot in HBO’s Hard Knocks series, Shimko would be a significant loss for Dallas. Let’s break it all down.
Cowboys QB coach Steve Shimko could be headed elsewhere in 2026
Orr joined The Athletic Football Podcast on Thursday for an episode covering the coaching carousel, and he briefly mentioned the possibility of the Cowboys losing Shimko. The reason why is Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.
Orr views Hafley as one of the likeliest candidates to land a head coaching job in the 2026 coaching carousel. If it happens, Hafley could turn to Shimko considering they were together at Boston College.
“(Hafley’s) offensive coordinator at B.C. was Steve Shimko, who is the quarterback’s coach in Dallas now,” Orr said. “And I think the two of them could pair up if Hafley ends up getting a head coaching job.”
Additionally, Orr mentioned the New York Giants as a likely landing spot for Hafley. So it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Shimko planning to face the Cowboys in 2026 and beyond.
Shimko’s role in Dallas could be bigger than we think
As is often the case with position coaches, it is hard to know for sure the extent of Shimko’s responsibilities with the Cowboys. But more intrigue was added to his situation by Hard Knocks due to a moment in which Schottenheimer—who calls the plays—is captured asking Shimko for plays targeting CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens during the Dallas’ latest loss to the Detroit Lions.
Clearly, Shimko is at least partially involved with play-calling duties on gameday. You can see the clip in the post embedded bellow. If that is the case, losing him would obviously be a significant hit to the staff. Fortunately, Schottenheimer hires on the offensive side of the ball have been very promising in his first year leading the team.
Dak Prescott’s season speaks well of Shimko
Though it’s difficult to know for sure how much Shimko’s coaching has impacted Prescott, it only helps that the veteran quarterback is having one of his best career years. Prescott currently leads the NFL in passing yards (3,637), quarterback rating, and is second in passing touchdowns (266). He has elevated George Pickens’ career after a tumultuous start to it in Pittsburgh.
If Hafley lands a head coaching gig, he could be enticed to reunite with Shimko based on his previous relationship with him and his early success at the NFL level.
Schottenheimer might have more to worry about Klayton Adams, too
Another candidate from the Cowboys’ coaching staff to climb the ladder in the future is offensive coordinator Klayton Adams.
Recently, Adams was listed by NFL insider Tom Pelissero as a coach “to watch in future years” in head coaching searches. Though he doesn’t call plays in Dallas, he currently leads the Cowboys’ run game efforts and has helped the team transition into a more diverse scheme.
However, Adams is likely sticking around for at least one or two more years.
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