Mike Tomlin Discusses Players-Only Meetings and Cowboys' Performance

<p>The Dallas Cowboys' inconsistent start continued in Week 5, with a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, bringing their record to 2-3. Much of the scrutiny has focused on the Cowboys' defense, which has struggled with consistency early in the season. In response, the Cowboys reportedly held a players-only meeting.</p><p>Mike Tomlin, former Pittsburgh Steelers coach and current NBC Sports NFL analyst, shared his thoughts on what a players-only meeting can indicate about a team's condition. "I think you’re dead," Tomlin stated during an episode of the "New Heights" podcast with Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce.</p><p>Tomlin clarified that his concern was not about the occurrence of the meeting itself, but rather that it became a topic of public discussion. "If it did occur, I’d like to not hear about it," he said. "The fact that you hear about it is what makes it BS."</p><p>During the podcast, Travis Kelce asked Tomlin about facing criticism for expressing support for the Steelers during broadcasts. Tomlin responded, "To be honest with ya, I don’t care if I do. How can you be somewhere 19 years, man, and had really a personal stake in most of the guys being there and not care for ’em? Not root for ’em? Not be for ’em? I’m not gonna pretend that I’m not. I can’t do that. Certainly, I got a job to do, and I’m gonna do it. But everybody knows where my heart is and where my support is, and I’m not apologizing for that."</p><p>Matt Eberflus, who served as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator last season, has joined the San Francisco 49ers as assistant head coach/defense for 2026. The Cowboys have appointed Christian Parker to lead their defense. While the Cowboys have shown some improvement under Parker, they still rank near the bottom of the NFL in yards allowed per game through five weeks.</p><p>Following last Thursday’s 24-16 loss to the Buccaneers, head coach Brian Schottenheimer began implementing changes to the Cowboys' defense, including the addition of Mike Pettine as senior defensive assistant, who has previously worked with Parker.</p><p>The Cowboys are set to face the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday night for a Week 6 matchup.</p>