Cowboys recruit Cardinals' Offensive Line coach Klayton Adams to serve as Offensive Coordinator
The Dallas Cowboys have enlisted the services of Klayton Adams, who was previously the offensive line coach for the Arizona Cardinals, to take on the role of offensive coordinator. This announcement was made by the team on Saturday morning.
Adams will be replacing Brian Schottenheimer, who was recently promoted to head coach after the Cowboys parted ways with Mike McCarthy at the end of the season.
This hiring suggests that the Cowboys will be placing a greater emphasis on their running game in the upcoming season. Adams, who is 41 years old, spent the last two seasons with the Cardinals and before that, he was with the Indianapolis Colts for four years as an assistant offensive line coach (2019-20) and tight ends coach (2021-22).
During Adams' tenure, the Cardinals ranked seventh in the league in rushing yards (144.2 per game) and 11th in total offense. In comparison, the Cowboys ranked 27th in rushing yards with 100.3 per game and had the lowest number of rushing touchdowns in the NFL with only six.
One of the top names linked to the Cowboys in the upcoming NFL draft is Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty. He led the nation in rushing yards (2,601) and rushing touchdowns (29) last season and finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting.
The Cowboys hold the 12th pick in the first round after finishing with a record of 7-10 in 2024.
While Adams will be in charge of the offense in 2025, Schottenheimer is expected to continue calling the plays. This follows the same approach the team took last season, with McCarthy serving as the play-caller.
According to reports, the Cowboys are also planning to bring in a new offensive line coach under Adams. Mike Solari held this position for the past two seasons. With nine-time Pro Bowl guard Zack Martin becoming a free agent, the Cowboys' offensive line could see some changes in the upcoming season.
Other coaches who were reportedly considered for the Cowboys' offensive coordinator position include Scottie Montgomery, the assistant head coach and running backs coach for the Detroit Lions, former Cleveland Browns OC Ken Dorsey, and Kevin Koger, the tight ends coach for the Atlanta Falcons.
