Jimmy Johnson Offers Two-Word Winning Formula for Brian Schottenheimer's Dallas Cowboys Tenure
To lead an NFL franchise is no easy task, and to lead one as iconic as the Dallas Cowboys comes with even higher expectations from both the front office and fans. The Cowboys have delivered five Super Bowl titles to Dallas under legendary coaches like Tom Landry, Jimmy Johnson, and Barry Switzer. But after a 29-year championship drought, the team is turning to new head coach Brian Schottenheimer to change the culture and restore the glory of America's Team.
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Two-time Super Bowl–winning coach Jimmy Johnson, in an interview published by the Dallas Cowboys, offered one clear piece of advice:
Stay. Healthy.
On the surface, it might sound like a cliché. But Johnson's message cuts to the heart of what's held the Cowboys back in recent years. Injuries to key players, especially quarterback Dak Prescott, have repeatedly derailed promising seasons. Prescott, the face of the franchise, has suffered two season-ending injuries, in 2020 and again last season. Both times, the Cowboys stumbled without their leader under center. When healthy, however, Prescott has guided Dallas to the playoffs in five of his seven seasons. His presence and consistency remain the biggest X-factor in any championship aspirations.
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Beyond Prescott, the Cowboys' entire roster has little margin for error. Coach Johnson pointed out that the team's strategy of investing heavily in star players leaves them vulnerable when injuries strike. With so much of the salary cap tied up in marquee names, the depth chart behind them is thin. In a long, grueling NFL season, role players often make the difference between advancing deep into January or packing up early.
And this season, the schedule won't do them any favors. The Cowboys face a daunting second-half slate, which includes both of last year's Super Bowl teams — the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles and the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs — as well as rising contenders like the Washington Commanders and Detroit Lions. Staying healthy won't just help them survive that stretch; it might be the only way they can compete at a high level against some of the league's toughest opponents.
'If they're not at full strength when they face those top teams late, it's going to be a problem,' he noted.
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Fortunately for Dallas, reinforcements are on the way. Star cornerback Trevon Diggs and promising linebacker DeMarvion Overshown are both expected to return from injury midseason, potentially bolstering the defense right when the Cowboys need it most.
Beyond the X's and O's, Johnson's advice also speaks to a bigger idea: building resilience. Injuries happen in football, but minimizing them, managing them wisely, and keeping the team physically and mentally prepared is part of creating a winning culture. Schottenheimer inherits not only a roster but also the weight of history, and the passion of a fan base desperate to celebrate another championship.
To compete in a stacked NFC East and make a serious playoff run, Schottenheimer would do well to heed Johnson's advice. For the Cowboys, staying healthy isn't just a key to success, it's the foundation of any path back to the top.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
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