Washington Commanders v Dallas Cowboys | Stacy Revere/GettyImages
Much to the chagrin of Dallas Cowboys fans, it doesn’t seem that Matt Eberflus will be fired during the season. Jerry Jones doesn’t have a history of canning coaches mid-season. If Mike Nolan can survive the entire 2020 campaign, arguably the worst season from a Dallas defense in franchise history, it’s hard to see Jones pulling the plug on Eberflus.
Brian Schottenheimer has stated that “changes will be made.” Schottenheimer has spent more time in defensive meetings. While that seemingly doesn’t have anything to do with Eberflus’ job security, it could hint at personnel tweaks or scheme adjustments. It sounds like a notable personnel change is on the way involving Jadevon Clowney.
Schottenheimer was asked this week if Clowney will get more snaps going forward, and he didn’t mince words.
“Yeah. Clowney’s back. The dust is off. Clowney’s back,” Schottenheimer said, via Clarence Hill Jr. of All-City DLLS.
Cowboys will reportedly increase Jadeveon Clowney’s playing time
More snaps are coming for Jadeveon Clowney.@clarencehilljr | #DallasCowboyspic.twitter.com/rka5naqYIk
— DLLS Cowboys (@DLLS_Cowboys) October 28, 2025
Look, Clowney getting more snaps isn’t a groundbreaking development. He’s not the game-wrecker he was early in his career. However, if more Clowney means fewer snaps for Sam Williams and Marshawn Kneeland, then by all means ramp up the former No. 1 overall picks’ snap share.
It’s not like Clowney is setting the world on fire. But he’s been markedly more impactful and consistent than Williams and Kneeland. That is a terrible look for the Cowboys’ front office, which invested second-round picks in Williams and Kneeland in 2022 and 2024, respectively.
Pro Football Focus’ grading system isn’t perfect, but Clowney ranks 45th and 46th among EDGE defenders in pass-rush grade and run-defense grade this season. He has nine pressures and seven defensive stops in five games.
That’s nothing to write home about, and he doesn’t have the same juice he did five years ago, but he’s significantly more impactful down-to-down compared to Williams and Kneeland. He’s an average run defender and a below-average pass rusher at this stage of his career, but that’s how low the bar is right now.
Clowney played 25 snaps against the Broncos and 26 versus the Commanders the week prior. He maxed out at 31 against the Jets in Week 5. It would be detrimental to the defense if Clowney started playing 50 snaps every week, but he should consistently be playing over 30. That might not seem like a huge increase, but football games are often won and lost based on just a handful of snaps.
