Former NFL quarterback Scott Tolzien will begin his third year as an offensive assistant with the Dallas Cowboys.
Tolzien, who played for Mike McCarthy while both were in Green Bay (2013-16), also played on a team coached by current Cowboys Offensive Line Coach Joe Philbin (Indianapolis, 2016-17).
The offense grew to new heights in 2021, leading the NFL in scoring (31.2) - including a franchise-record 530 points - and yards (407.0) while also reaching the end zone on 28.6% of drives, sixth in the league. Tolzien's close work with Prescott saw the quarterback set a career-high and franchise-record 37 touchdown passes and record a 100.0 passer rating in eight games - tied for second in single-season team history.
In his first season with Dallas in 2020 Tolzien assisted with an offensive unit that ranked in the top-10 of most primary statistical categories. Despite losing starting quarterback Dak Prescott to injury, the Cowboys offense ranked seventh in the NFL in receiving yards (4,511), eighth in passing yards (4,161) and tied for ninth in scrimmage yards (6,299).
Before becoming an NFL coach, Tolzien was given a brief introduction to off-field tasks in 2019 at his alma mater, Wisconsin, where he served as an analyst scouting opponents.
Tolzien enjoyed a seven-year NFL career, originally signing with the San Diego Chargers as a rookie free agent in 2011. He spent just over three seasons as a backup to Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay (2013-16), playing in six games with two starts over that time. He then served as a backup to Andrew Luck with the Colts from 2016-17, playing in four games with two starts.
Tolzien appeared in 29 games with 26 starts at Wisconsin, leaving with the school record for completion percentage (68.1) and efficiency rating (153.2).
Tolzien was a two-time all-conference and all-academic at WIlliam Fremd High School in Palatine, Ill.
Tolzien and his wife, Megan, have a daughter, Brooke, and a son, Blake.
