ARLINGTON, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys closed out the preseason with more questions than answers, and head coach Brian Schottenheimer made clear that the next few days will be among the most difficult of the summer.
Dallas rallied in the second half of its preseason finale, but the bigger story coming out of the game was the competition and evaluation taking place throughout the roster.
Schottenheimer acknowledged that the Cowboys did not play to their standard early. Dallas allowed New Orleans to average 6.8 yards per carry in the first half while committing three offensive penalties. The coach challenged his team at halftime, and the response was noticeable after the break.
The defense tightened up, the pass rush became more effective and Dallas settled into a better overall rhythm. Sam Williams was among the players Schottenheimer singled out for his second-half performance. The Cowboys also improved against the Saints’ perimeter attack after struggling to set the edge early.
Offensively, quarterback Sam Howell helped move the team down the field and finished the night with several positive moments, including a successful two-point conversion run. Jordan Hudson also drew praise for his performance, while the Cowboys finally connected on a touchdown that had narrowly eluded them earlier in the game.
But the most significant decision facing Dallas remains at quarterback.
Quarterback Competition Remains Close
Schottenheimer described the competition between Sam Howell and Joe Milton as essentially even after the preseason.
The Cowboys have evaluated both quarterbacks throughout training camp and the preseason, tracking throws, game statistics, decisions in the running game and how each player handles checks at the line of scrimmage.
Howell brings more experience, while Milton offers a different level of developmental upside. Schottenheimer indicated that both factors are being considered as the Cowboys work toward a final decision.
The competition has also remained unusually positive between the two players. Rather than allowing the battle for the job to divide the room, Howell and Milton have continued supporting each other when the other performs well.
That dynamic has made the final decision more difficult.
With roster cuts approaching, Dallas has to determine not only which quarterback gives the team the best option behind Dak Prescott, but also how many quarterbacks the organization can afford to carry.
Roster Cuts Loom
The Cowboys now enter one of the most challenging portions of the preseason.
Schottenheimer acknowledged that the coaching staff has developed relationships with many of the players competing for roster spots. With the roster ultimately having to be reduced, some players who performed well during camp will not make the final team.
The coaching staff will focus first on evaluating its own players, while the personnel department begins looking at potential players who could become available around the league once other teams make their cuts.
Schottenheimer emphasized that the Cowboys want to handle those decisions honestly and respectfully, providing departing players with constructive feedback that could help them with their next opportunity.
Special Teams Takes a Hit
Dallas also received some difficult injury news.
Linebacker and special teams contributor Leka Foull was diagnosed with a fractured forearm and is expected to undergo surgery. Schottenheimer described him as an important four-phase special teams player whose loss creates another challenge for the roster.
The Cowboys will now have to determine how quickly he might be able to return and whether a roster designation could eventually be used.
Clayton Adams Gets His Chance
Another storyline from the finale was offensive coordinator Clayton Adams taking over play-calling responsibilities.
Schottenheimer said the opportunity was intentional, viewing preseason game experience as an important part of developing his coaching staff.
Adams faced a difficult opening half as penalties repeatedly put the offense behind the chains. Still, Schottenheimer felt Adams settled down as the game progressed and handled key situations, including two-minute opportunities at the end of the halves.
The experience also allowed Schottenheimer to spend more time studying the defense, special teams and individual personnel matchups rather than directing the offense.
Cowboys Encouraged by Roster Depth
Despite the difficult decisions ahead, Schottenheimer expressed confidence in the overall makeup of the team.
He believes the Cowboys have significantly more depth than they did a year ago, while several returning players have taken on stronger leadership roles inside the locker room.
That development could become especially important once the regular season begins. Injuries are inevitable in the NFL, and Schottenheimer wants his younger and reserve players to gain experience solving problems before those situations become critical during the regular season.
For Dallas, the preseason is now over. The evaluations continue.
The Cowboys must make difficult choices at quarterback, along the offensive line, on defense and across special teams before assembling the roster that will open the regular season.
The margin for error is shrinking, and Schottenheimer knows the next few days will be just as important as what happened on the field.
