It was a mixed bag for Schottenheimer in Year 1, but his side of the ball was a glaring positive from an otherwise underwhelming season.
Brian Schottenheimer's first year as Dallas Cowboys head coach can be a tough thing to grade.
On one hand, the Cowboys posted a 7-9-1 record and missed the playoffs. That's bad.
On the other hand, Schottenheimer's offense, led by Dak Prescott, was among the best in football throughout the season.
Dak made his fourth Pro Bowl after throwing for 4,552 yards and 30 TDs, Javonte Williams rushed for 1,201 yards and 11 TDs, while CeeDee Lamb (1,077 yards, 3 TDs) and George Pickens (1,429 yards, 9 TDs) did as they pleased.
But for as good as the offense was last season, the defense under Matt Eberflus was equally as bad.
Often getting torched, leaving the offense to be perfect just to keep up, Dallas' defense was one of the worst in football.
Now, as we turn to 2026, and Year 2 with Schottenheimer, expectations have shifted slightly with the hiring of Christian Parker as defensive coordinator, coupled with the franchise having two first-round picks.
And for Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith, he loved what Schottenheimer did last season.
"I was very impressed with what we did offensively," Smith said in a talk with Joe Hoyt of the Dallas Morning News. "I saw the balance he was trying to establish. We ran the ball effectively. Had an over 1,000-yard rusher. We threw the ball very effectively.
"Dak [Prescott] had one of his best years. Offensively, I thought the Cowboys showed signs of ... the potential of having a top-five offense, but overall, as a team, our defense was nowhere near where it needed to be at.
"I'm glad that we made a defensive change, and we have to make an upgrade in terms of defensive personnel."
So the offense is in a great place. Now it is time for the defense to catch up.
Already with a handful of good signings, the Cowboys now appear to be ready to potentially take two defensive starters in the draft to help bring Parker's vision to life.
We all know the defense let down the Cowboys last season, and with most of the offense returning, there is no reason to think that the playoffs shouldn't be on the menu in 2026.
Of course, a lot of that is predicated on Pickens playing, and the defense taking what many think will be a leap in production.
If both happen, then who knows what 2026 will have in store for the Cowboys.