Locked On Cowboys – “Could The Cowboys EXPLOSIVE Offense Be One-And-Done?!?!” (October 8, 2025)

Hosts: Landon McCool

(A solo episode; Marcus Mosher absent)

Episode Overview

This episode of Locked On Cowboys focuses on the surging Dallas Cowboys offense, exploring whether their explosive start can be sustained, or if coaching staff departures and roster questions could derail their progress. Landon McCool runs through listener questions, delivering nuanced insights into youth development on defense, backup offensive linemen, trade targets, and the possibility of Cowboys offensive coaches being poached after this season. The episode also spotlights the transformation in the offensive play design under Brian Schottenheimer and looks at the pivotal role of supporting staff like Clayton Adams.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Youth Movement on Defense (01:49–07:50)

• Will Younger Defenders Get Their Shot?

  • Landon addresses whether promising young linebackers like Shemar James and Leo Foul should get more snaps over veterans like Jack Sanborn.
  • On Shemar James: Despite impressive tackle numbers, his play diagnosis and timing are still a work in progress. Tackling a back 8 yards downfield isn't ideal, and it indicates room to grow in instincts and reads.
  • On Leo Foul: He's shown flashes—big plays, a forced fumble—but is not yet consistent, sometimes getting targeted and beaten.
  • Quote:

    "It's not necessarily a good sign that he's making the tackles as opposed to just missing the tackles. But it's not necessarily a good sign that he's making the correct read... which is obviously when it would be a negative play for the offense."
    — Landon (03:44)

• Why Play Youth Early?

  • Long term, the upside is worth early struggles, especially for rookies like James.
  • Landon advocates for exposing young players to game reps so they can surpass current veterans as the season progresses.

Offensive Line Depth and Upside (07:50–10:30)

• Backup O-Linemen Assessment
  • Nate Thomas, Brock Hoffman, and TJ Bass are the most “starter-ready” reserves, but upside trumps marginal veteran gains.
  • Booker vs. Bass: Even if TJ Bass is slightly better now, the higher ceiling of Booker makes him the right developmental play.
  • Nate Thomas should get more snaps at right tackle as a possible future starter.
  • Quote:

    "You want to play the guy that is a little bit more talented... Booker's got such an enormous upside. He just needs snaps."
    — Landon (09:30)

The Battle for WR3: Tolbert, Flournoy, and Mingo (10:30–14:30)

• Wide Receiver Competition
  • Jalen Tolbert is the steady, veteran “security blanket” for Dak, giving reliability but not much flash.
  • Flournoy is the new “flavor of the month” after a big game, and Jonathan Mingo (impressive before injury) is expected to return.
  • All three will compete for snaps; special teams versatility could tip the balance.
  • Trade Implications: WR depth may enable the Cowboys to package a receiver in a deal for defensive help, though none alone would likely fetch a top target.
  • Quote:

    “Tolbert is a solid player…if you’re looking to upgrade that position, maybe you look at guys like Flournoy and Mingo who you feel like maybe have some more physical upside.”
    — Landon (13:30)

The Hunter Luepke Question: Will He Get More Touches? (16:00–18:00)

• Luepke’s Evolving Role
  • Listener “Yuma Cactus” wonders if Hunter Luepke will get increased touches.
  • Luepke is used as a utility, two-back set piece (21/22 personnel)—big on blocking, special teams, “offset-I”, and motion.
  • Great play design on a swing pass (with an OL lead blocker) shows how the staff is helping him succeed, especially versus modern deep zone coverages.
  • Touches have lagged due to Javonte Williams’ breakout:

    “Some of the touches you would have thought that would have normally gone to Luepke have gone to Javonte Williams, because he's done such a great job.”
    — Landon (17:45)

Trade Deadlines and Needs: Edge vs. Linebacker (18:00–19:38)

• Approach to Trades
  • When considering deals for defensive help, the Cowboys must weigh contract details (guaranteed money), player age, and whether the acquisition fits both short-term and future plans.
  • High-end targets like Maxx Crosby have complicated contract structures making trades difficult for the seller.
  • Cowboys' playoff position will determine aggressiveness at the deadline—winning one more game could make them “buyers.”
  • For Dallas, any major move should focus on players who help now and are part of the long-term core, not just rentals.
  • Quote:

    "You want somebody who could come in, produce for you now, but also be part of your long-term rebuild."
    — Landon (19:15)

Passing Game Overhaul: Schottenheimer’s Impact (21:10–23:30)

• Has the Offense Finally Evolved to Help Dak?
  • The passing game has been modernized: increased pre-snap motion, condensed formations, play action—putting Dak in position to succeed rather than demanding he “solve all problems.”
  • Cowboys now top-10 in motion usage, a dramatic leap from last year.
  • Creative play designs (e.g., the “one-man screen” to Luepke, play-action swing to Williams) are netting easy yards and big plays.
  • Quote:

    “Every step along the way, Schottenheimer has confirmed what he has said. Like he has put his money where his mouth is… he is actually doing the things that we’ve been asking him to do to this offense.”
    — Landon (22:23)

Coaching Staff Poaching: Is Clayton Adams Next? (23:30–25:10)

• Could the Cowboys Lose Offensive Brains?
  • Offensive line coach/run game coordinator Clayton Adams’ impact is clear: Cowboys’ run efficiency up; former team (Arizona) plummeted after his departure.
  • Adams’ ability to keep the offense rolling despite OL injuries earns high praise, but Landon predicts he’s a year or two away from head coach interviews due to the usual coordinator-to-head-coach pathway.
  • “Clayton Adams deserves a huge amount of respect here… I wouldn’t be shocked if he got a couple of interesting interviews.”
    — Landon (24:30)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Youth Over Veterans (04:22):
  • “You take the opportunity for them to take those lumps and see if they can grow a little bit.”
• On the Value of WR Depth (13:52):
  • “Having several competent down-roster wide receivers...I think that's valuable in the NFL and the Cowboys happen to have kind of a surplus at that spot.”
• On Offensive Evolution (22:23):
  • “Schottenheimer has confirmed what he has said. Like he has, you know, put his money where his mouth is. And, and they have shown the things that they've talked about showing.”
• On Adams’ Future (24:40):
  • “I wouldn't be shocked if he got a couple of interesting interviews… but I also think that Clayton is probably a step away from that. He probably needs to be a play caller, an offensive coordinator before I think he's going to be getting serious head coach consideration.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:49 – Listener Question: Will young defenders get more snaps?
• 07:50 – Backup offensive linemen: Who’s pushing for jobs?
• 10:30 – The WR3 battle and depth chart implications
• 16:00 – Hunter Luepke and creative running back usage
• 18:00 – Trade targets: Needs, philosophy, and possible moves
• 21:10 – Passing game overhaul under Schottenheimer
• 23:30 – Coaching staff poaching: Could Adams get head coach looks?
• 25:10 – Brief appreciation for Marcus Mosher

Conclusion and Episode Tone

Landon delivers detailed, balanced analysis laced with optimism about the Cowboys’ offensive evolution, while remaining realistic about the challenges of youth development and the business of NFL coaching. Fans come away with a clear understanding of how the team’s coaching, roster management, and front office strategy intersect as Dallas pursues both short- and long-term success.

For those who missed the episode:
You'll find a thoughtful breakdown of Cowboys’ current strengths and vulnerabilities — with a particular spotlight on player development, coaching innovation, and the franchise's calculated approach to keeping its offensive edge in a restless NFL landscape.