Reports: Cowboys hiring Cards' Klayton Adams as OC

The Dallas Cowboys are hiring Arizona Cardinals offensive line coach Klayton Adams to be their new offensive coordinator, multiple media outlets reported Friday.

He would replace Brian Schottenheimer, who earlier this month was promoted to head coach after the Cowboys parted ways with Mike McCarthy following the season.

The hiring of Adams would seem to indicate an increased focus on the running game in Dallas for next season. Adams, 41, worked the past two seasons for the Cardinals after spending four years with the Indianapolis Colts as an assistant offensive line coach (2019-20) and tight ends coach (2021-22).

Under Adams' watch, the Cardinals ranked seventh in the league in 2024 in rushing yards (144.2 yards per game) and 11th in total offense. The Cowboys, on the other hand, ranked 27th on the ground at 100.3 ypg and had the fewest rushing touchdowns in the NFL with six.

One of the names most frequently connected to the Cowboys when it comes to the upcoming draft is Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, who led the nation with 2,601 rushing yards and 29 rushing touchdowns last season while finishing second in Heisman Trophy voting.

Dallas has the 12th pick in the first round after finishing 7-10.

While Adams would be in charge of the offense in 2025, Schottenheimer is expected to call the plays. That matches what the team did last season, as McCarthy served as the play-caller.

Also according to reports, the Cowboys are expected to hire an offensive line coach under Adams. Mike Solari held the role for the past two seasons. With nine-time Pro Bowl guard Zack Martin set to be a free agent, Dallas' offensive line could be in store for a shakeup in 2025.

Among other coaches reportedly under consideration for the Cowboys' OC opening were Detroit Lions assistant head coach/running backs coach Scottie Montgomery, former Cleveland Browns OC Ken Dorsey, and Atlanta Falcons tight end coach Kevin Koger.

--Field Level Media