Following a loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 8, many across the NFL world are starting to speculate that Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones could move on from head coach Brian Schottenheimer.
While this is still only speculation at this point, the NFL world is already abuzz with ideas of a former Pro Bowl tight end taking over as head coach in Dallas.
After a 3-5 start to the 2026 regular season, the Cowboys' trajectory has served as cause for concern.
Although Jerry Jones has expressed support for Schottenheimer, speculation about Witten's long-term coaching future has intensified. Several NFL observers believe the former Cowboys tight end could eventually emerge as a candidate to lead Dallas, particularly as he gains more coaching experience.
Former ESPN reporter and Dallas Cowboys insider Ed Werder couldn't help but dish on the Cowboys' head coaching situation with rumors of Witten being lined up as a potential replacement.
After a report emerged stating that Witten will serve as the playcaller for the Oklahoma Sooners, Werder remarked: "This is his apprenticeship. Jerry will definitely hire him at some point, potentially as a head coach. He's said himself he views him as another Dan Campbell."
Others couldn't help but agree with Werner, with veteran Dallas reporter Clarence Hill Jr. saying, "It won't be long now. Witten is inevitable."
Cowboys blogger and podcaster RJ Ochoa also couldn't help but point out the obvious, explaining, "It is absurd how understood this is right now. Makes everything between now and that hypothetical day feel so pointless. I suppose Brian might have been hired to buy time for the apprenticeship to take and then it can finally happen. Again… absurd."
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Many couldn't help but agree that Witten would eventually take over as the Cowboys' head coach after Schottenheimer's tenure, with Ben Rogers, a Cowboys radio host, posting, "He WILL be a #DallasCowboys coach. Just a matter of which title, and when."
While some think Witten is the inevitable option due to his relationship with the franchise, a few people believe it's the finances behind it that make more sense.
A discussion on "105.3 The Fan" followed along those lines, with one host saying, "If the Cowboys move on from Schotty, what are the chances of a Jason Witten head-coaching hire? He would probably be cheap, which is right in Jerry's wheelhouse."
Mike Fisher, a longtime Cowboys reporter, then highlighted the fact that Jones could lean towards some familiarity, writing: "Quick read of my story and you'll learn – via Hollywood – what Jerry Jones thinks of Jason Witten. So, yeah, you can put Witten on the Futures List of #Cowboys head coach candidates."
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Interestingly, Jones already addressed this particular storyline a few years ago. In a 2024 interview with "105.3 The Fan," Jones did not hesitate one bit in giving Witten his vote of confidence as a future head coach in the NFL.
"Yes. Without hesitation. Yes. He has something that you can't draw up. He reminds me a lot of our other tight end who is head coach up there in Detroit right now (Dan Campbell).
"Jason is very sophisticated when it comes to understanding football and all the nuances. But more important than anything, he really does understand the physical and the mentality of being physical and that part of it. Without a question, he could become (an NFL coach). He has an extraordinary work ethic. … He can be a top coach."
While the offense has excelled as the fourth-ranked unit in the league according to PFN's Offensive Impact Metric , with an 84.5 grade, the Cowboys' defense has struggled mightily with a 60.6 grade, the worst score in the league in PFN's Defensive Impact Metric .
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network .
