When the phrase "players-only meeting" comes up in relation to any sports team, it typically means one of two things. Either things are going very poorly, or there's a conflict or conversation that needs to be addressed head-on. However, these types of meetings typically happen later in the season, or at the very least around the midway point. For the Dallas Cowboys, that phrase was used after a Week 5 home loss to the previously winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
There is some good news, though: the Cowboys' post-loss players-only meeting was apparently only for the defense, longtime Cowboys reporter Clarence Hill Jr. reported.
Cowboys defense had a players only meeting this morning to air things out. They say its not Christian Parker's fault. It's on the coaching. It's on the players. Von Miller said he has been around bad coaching before. He said they are getting coached well.
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) October 12, 2026
Given that the Cowboys offense ranks No. 7 in points per game (27.6) and No. 11 in total yards per game (351.2), it makes sense that Dak Prescott and company weren't part of the discussion.
While a "players-only meeting" doesn't exactly leave fans feeling warm and fuzzy inside, longtime Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was asked about it during a recent interview on Travis and Jason Kelce's New Heights podcast. Unfortunately, Tomlin's comments about it aren't going to make anyone feel much better about the situation.
Kelce asked Tomlin how he feels about players-only meetings, and the response probably isn't what any fan wants to hear.
"Allegedly, the Cowboys defense had a players-only meeting. As a coach, what do you think when your team is having a players-only meeting?" Jason Kelce asked.
"I think you're dead," Tomlin said. "...If it did occur, I'd like to not hear about it. The fact that you hear about it is what makes it B.S."
Coach Tomlin knows, if your team is having a players-only meeting your season is COOKED
— New Heights (@newheightshow) October 14, 2026
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW !!!! @allstatepic.twitter.com/s7BxDm4Hsg
That's not great to hear, especially considering Tomlin spent 19 years as the Steelers' head coach, compiling a 193-114-2 record while winning a Super Bowl. Although it's still early in the season and the Cowboys' defense has plenty of talent, there didn't seem to be much optimism from Tomlin, Travis, or Jason about it.
To add another plot twist, the Cowboys also hired longtime coach and coordinator Mike Pettine as a senior defensive assistant, as the temperature rose around defensive coordinator Christian Parker and his unit. Parker, 34, is in his first season as defensive coordinator, and regardless of how the upcoming week pans out, the Dallas defense will remain a talking point for the foreseeable future.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: If Mike Tomlin's 'New Heights' comments are true, the Cowboys are on the brink of disaster