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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JANUARY 04: Head coach Brian Schottenheimer of the Dallas Cowboys looks on during the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on January 04, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The New York Giants won 34-17. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)

It was no secret to anyone that the Dallas Cowboys‘ almost sole focus this offseason was improving the defensive side of the ball, in the wake of the team having the league’s largest disparity between offense and defense in 2025.

The Cowboys ranked 2nd in total offense and 30th in total defense last season, and predictably came out with a near .500 record at 7-9-1.

Whilst a large part of the offseason focus centered around how Dallas could improve a pass rush that ranked 22nd in the league in 2025, perhaps an even bigger area of weakness lay at inside linebacker.

Brian Schottenheimer Names Top Green Dot Candidates

And after the departure of Kenneth Murray this offseason, the team will need a new green dot wearer at the heart of the defense. Whilst defensive coordinator Christian Parker was tight-lipped in speaking to the media, head coach Brian Schottenheimer dropped three potential names who could take over the all-important defensive signal caller in 2026.

“The Green Dot, it’s interesting because I think some people, general fans don’t really know what the dot is. Hell, there was never a green dot for defense up until a couple of years ago. The biggest thing I would say about that is, we’re going to train so many people in the green dot that we’re going to find out who is comfortable doing it.” Schottenheimer said, via 105.3 The Fan, before whittling off a list of three top candidates to fill the role before revealing he has a “favorite” option.

“It might be DeMo [DeMarvion Overshown], it might be Jalen Thompson, it might be Dee Winters, it might be whoever…If we were playing a game this week I couldn’t tell you who was going to wear the green dot…At the end of the day I have my favorite and who I think will be our green dot, but I’m not going to share it with you.”

Who is Brian Schottenheimer’s ‘Favorite’ Green Dot Option?

The radio hosts, Shan Sharif and Bobby Belt, subsequently speculated that they believe Jalen Thompson is Schottenheimer’s secret favorite of the three.

“You never want to list the guy you’re thinking of first, too obvious – DeMarvion Overshown. You don’t want to finish with that guy, too much. This is the guy in the middle, he’s the second name. And it was the only member of the secondary he mentioned. He mentioned all linebackers then he mentioned someone in the secondary, Jalen Thompson. That’s who I think Schotty wants.” Belt analyzed after playing the clip.

It is somewhat unorthodox for safeties – even strong safeties – to wear the green dot on defense, and with the addition of Winters and the return of Overshown after his gruesome, multi-ligament knee tear back in December 2024, it would be an unexpected choice to give the defensive call responsibilities to Thompson.

On the other hand, the former Arizona Cardinal has been one of the more consistent strong safeties in the NFL over the past seven years since being selected in the fifth round of the 2015 Supplemental Draft, and has a tremendous understanding of the defense – even if he himself has never been the primary green dot beholder during his time in the league.