The rivalry between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles has long extended beyond the field. This week, it spilled into the coaching ranks at the NFL Combine, where a blunt exchange between Brian Schottenheimer and Nick Sirianni underscored just how fiercely both organizations guard their competitive advantages.
According to DallasCowboys.com’s Patrik Walker, Sirianni personally informed Schottenheimer earlier this offseason that he intended to submit a request to interview Klayton Adams, who currently serves as offensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys.
The response from Schottenheimer was immediate and unequivocal: “Nick, don’t even bother. It’s not gonna happen,” Schottenheimer said.
That sharp reply confirmed prior reporting from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and others that the Cowboys denied the Eagles‘ formal request.
When Schottenheimer publicly detailed the interaction on Thursday, it added fresh intensity to a rivalry that rarely lacks drama.
Why Dallas had leverage
Under NFL policy, teams are prohibited from blocking interview requests that represent a promotion. However, the request involving Klayton Adams did not meet that threshold.
Adams already holds the title of offensive coordinator in Dallas. While Schottenheimer operates as the primary play caller, simply adding play-calling duties elsewhere does not automatically constitute a promotion under league rules.
That technical distinction gave the Cowboys the authority to decline the interview. From a procedural standpoint, it was a straightforward decision but from a rivalry standpoint, it carried far more weight.
Adams joined Dallas ahead of the 2025 season as part of Schottenheimer‘s staff and quickly became instrumental in shaping the offense.
With 19 years of coaching experience spanning college football and the NFL, he has developed a strong reputation for constructing effective run-game schemes.
Prior to his arrival in Dallas, Adams spent time with the Arizona Cardinals, where he helped orchestrate one of the league’s most productive rushing attacks.
During his two seasons in Arizona, the Cardinals ranked near the top of the NFL in rushing yards per game and yards per carry, reinforcing his value as a strategic architect.
The payoff in Dallas was immediate. In 2025, the Cowboys finished second in total offense and second in passing yards.
They also ranked in the top ten in both rushing and scoring, reflecting balanced and efficient offensive production. For Schottenheimer, maintaining continuity within that structure was non-negotiable.
Eagles turn to Mannion
After being denied access to Adams, the Eagles moved forward with a different solution. The organization hired Sean Mannion as offensive coordinator following the departure of Kevin Patullo.
Mannion, a former NFL quarterback, retired from playing in early 2024 and transitioned quickly into coaching. Though he has yet to call plays at the NFL level, the Eagles have publicly backed the hire.
From Sirianni to Saquon Barkley, Jalen Hurts, and Howie Roseman, the organization has voiced enthusiasm about Mannion‘s vision and the fresh direction he is expected to bring to the offense.
Still, the initial pursuit of Adams shows how highly Philadelphia valued his experience, particularly given his prior working relationship with Sirianni in Indianapolis.
For the Cowboys, however, it was a simple saga to resolve. Allowing a key offensive strategist to depart for a direct NFC East rival without receiving a promotion in return would have been difficult to justify internally or competitively.
Schottenheimer‘s pointed remark may have sounded sharp, but in the context of divisional warfare, it reflected standard operating procedure. In a rivalry where marginal advantages can determine playoff positioning, even an attempted coaching poach becomes significant.
But when it comes to protecting their staff, Dallas made it clear that they will not yield ground to Philadelphia – not on the field and not at the negotiating table.
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