Former Cowboys quarterback Ben DiNucci questions Dallas’ effort, discipline and play-calling after a lifeless 23-13 loss to Green Bay drops the team to 2-4.

FRISCO – The Dallas Cowboys have plenty of problems six games into the 2026 NFL season. Now, a former Cowboys quarterback is publicly questioning something far more concerning than talent or coaching: effort.

Former Dallas quarterback Ben DiNucci blasted the Cowboys’ offense Monday following Sunday night’s embarrassing 23-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers, suggesting some players simply aren’t giving everything they have.

“You can’t turn on the Cowboys tape from last night and tell me guys on that offense are giving 100%,” DiNucci wrote on X.

He didn’t stop there.

“Lazy, no attention to details, no creativity with play calls,” DiNucci continued. “Cowboys fans I understand the frustration.”

Those comments reflect growing concerns surrounding a Dallas team that has dropped consecutive games and fallen to 2-4 despite possessing considerable offensive talent.

And the statistics support much of the criticism about the Cowboys’ execution.

Quarterback Dak Prescott completed 34 of 54 passes for 258 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions against Green Bay. Dallas managed just 48 rushing yards, converted five of 13 third downs and committed 11 penalties for 108 yards.

The Cowboys were shut out in the first half, falling behind 17-0 before finally reaching the end zone in the third quarter.

For an offense featuring Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, that’s simply unacceptable.

What makes DiNucci’s criticism particularly interesting is his experience inside the organization. The former seventh-round draft pick spent time with Dallas from 2020 through 2022 and understands the expectations surrounding America’s Team.

But there’s an important distinction between poor execution and deliberately withholding effort.

Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer defended his players following the loss, insisting their commitment wasn’t the problem.

“The effort is right, the fight is right, but mistakes are killing us,” Schottenheimer said.

That’s where the disconnect becomes troubling.

Schottenheimer sees players battling through mistakes. DiNucci sees an offense lacking urgency, discipline and imagination.

Meanwhile, Prescott acknowledged that Dallas’ offense failed to support a defense that kept the Packers within reach during the second half.

“The defense, to me, played a good enough game for us to go out there and win this, and we just didn’t hold our own on offense,” Prescott said.

After a much-publicized players-only meeting, additional preparation time and promises of improvement, the Cowboys produced another lifeless performance.

At some point, explanations about execution stop carrying much weight.

Dallas has scored just 29 combined points in consecutive losses to Tampa Bay and Green Bay. The running game is ineffective, turnovers are mounting and the offensive approach has become increasingly predictable.

DiNucci’s assessment might be harsh, but the Cowboys haven’t provided much evidence to silence their critics.

The bigger question isn’t whether Dallas has enough talent to win. It’s whether Schottenheimer can get that talent to consistently play disciplined, productive football before the season slips away.

At 2-4, the Cowboys are running out of time to figure it out.