Story perspectives

Cowboys’ defense holds players-only meeting after loss to Tampa Bay

By Drooid · Oct 16, 2026, 11:05 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Dallas Cowboys defense held a players-only meeting after the loss to Tampa Bay.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer called the meeting productive and praised player ownership.
Former Steelers coach Mike Tomlin called players-only meetings “B.S.” and said “I think you’re dead.”
Dallas entered Week 6 with the 31st-ranked defense, allowing 395.4 yards per game.
Schottenheimer will move Parker to the booth and give rookie Malachi Lawrence more snaps Sunday vs Green Bay.

History

Historical Context

After a 0-2 start in 2001, the New England Patriots held a players-only meeting, then Tom Brady replaced injured Drew Bledsoe and led the team to an 11-5 finish and a 20-17 Super Bowl XXXVI win over the St. Louis Rams. Coach Bill Belichick’s turnaround sparked a dynasty, a pattern later echoed by Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer’s own mid-season reset.

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Story summary

Dallas Cowboys defense held a players-only meeting after the loss to Tampa Bay.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer called the meeting productive and praised player ownership.
Former Steelers coach Mike Tomlin called players-only meetings “B.S.” and said “I think you’re dead.”
Dallas entered Week 6 with the 31st-ranked defense, allowing 395.4 yards per game.
Schottenheimer will move Parker to the booth and give rookie Malachi Lawrence more snaps Sunday vs Green Bay.

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