Former Coach Mike Tomlin Offers Stark View on NFL Players-Only Meetings

The Dallas Cowboys' early season performance has been inconsistent, marked by a 2-3 record after five games, including a recent loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Much of the focus has been on the team's defense, which has struggled to find its rhythm. Amid these challenges, reports emerged that the Cowboys players held a meeting without coaches present.

Mike Tomlin, a former Pittsburgh Steelers coach and now an NFL analyst for NBC Sports, offered his candid thoughts on what such a gathering might indicate about a team's health.

Tomlin's Candid Assessment of Team Meetings

Speaking on the "New Heights" podcast with ESPN's Jason Kelce and Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce, Tomlin did not mince words regarding players-only meetings. "I think you’re dead," Tomlin stated, reflecting a blunt assessment of teams resorting to such measures.

However, Tomlin later clarified his primary concern wasn't necessarily the occurrence of the meeting itself, but rather its public disclosure. "If it did occur, I’d like to not hear about it," he explained. "The fact that you hear about it is what makes it BS."

Loyalty in the Broadcast Booth

The conversation on the podcast also touched upon the complexities of broadcasting while maintaining an allegiance to a former team. Jason Kelce's visible support for the Philadelphia Eagles since his retirement and transition to broadcasting has garnered attention. Travis Kelce then questioned Tomlin about whether he faced criticism for openly supporting the Steelers during his "Football Night in America" broadcasts.

Tomlin dismissed any potential criticism with a firm stance. "To be honest with ya, I don’t care if I do," he responded. He emphasized the deep personal connection formed over nearly two decades with a team and its players. "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?" he questioned. "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."

Dallas Defense Undergoes Changes

Meanwhile, the Cowboys' defensive unit has seen several shifts. Last season, Matt Eberflus served as the defensive coordinator under head coach Brian Schottenheimer. Eberflus later moved to the San Francisco 49ers as assistant head coach/defense for 2026, leading Dallas to appoint Christian Parker to lead their defense this season.

While some areas have shown minor improvements under Parker, the Cowboys' defense still ranks among the league's lowest in yards allowed per game after five weeks. Following last Thursday's 24-16 defeat to the Buccaneers, Schottenheimer initiated further adjustments to the struggling defense. These changes include bringing in an experienced coach, Mike Pettine, as a senior defensive assistant. Pettine has a history of working alongside Parker.

The Cowboys are set to travel to Lambeau Field this Sunday night for a Week 6 contest against the Green Bay Packers.