ARLINGTON, Texas — Two days before the Dallas Cowboys must cut to 53 players, coach Brian Schottenheimer said he wants the team led by its locker room.
“I’m thrilled with this roster. If you put our roster from last year tonight compared to our roster tonight, this year, it’s significantly different,” Schottenheimer said. “And not only that, but I do think the guys that are here that were great players maybe last year now have a stronger voice, and the leadership from the locker room. I want this team to be led by the locker room. I’m the head coach and that’s part of the deal. But I hear Kenny Clark all the time now. I hear Quinnen Williams. I hear Dee Winters. I hear Jake Ferguson.”
Three of the four are new since last season. Dallas acquired Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets in November for a first-round pick and signed him to a three-year, $105.9 million extension on Aug. 10. Dee Winters arrived from San Francisco in April for a fifth-round pick. Kenny Clark has been in Dallas one year. Jake Ferguson is a 2023 fourth-round pick and the longest-tenured of the four.
The Cowboys must reach 53 players by 5 p.m. CT Sunday. Waiver claims clear at noon CT Monday. Teams may carry 16 players on the practice squad once the 53 is set.
What Changed On The Dallas Cowboys Roster
Dallas traded a 2027 fourth-round pick to Green Bay in March for Rashan Gary. The 12th overall pick in 2019, he has 46.5 career sacks and made the Pro Bowl in 2024. Von Miller agreed to a one-year contract this month. Christian Parker took over as defensive coordinator in January.
The offense added Sam Howell on a one-year deal in March and Marquez Valdes-Scantling in April. Klayton Adams called the plays Friday in his first game running the offense.
How Brian Schottenheimer Handles The Cuts
Schottenheimer said he gives released players feedback on what to work on wherever they land next.
“You get to know these guys and you know them on a deeper level. My opinion is, when you make these moves, you be honest with these guys,” Schottenheimer explained. “You leave them with the positive things that you love about them, and which you think they have that makes them special as a player and a person. And you also give them a little bit of feedback in terms of, hey, whatever team you land next, maybe think about this or that. Maybe it’s a role on special teams. Maybe it’s a little bit better coverage skills or whatever it is. That’s our philosophy here with the Cowboys.”
Schottenheimer joined the Dallas staff as offensive coordinator in 2023 and took over as head coach last year. He has previously coached quarterbacks, coordinated offenses, and worked in quality control.
Camden Brown And Jordan Hudson Started
Dallas held out most of its projected starting lineup against the New Orleans Saints on Friday. Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Miller, Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Clark, and Williams all sat.
Camden Brown, an undrafted rookie receiver, started. So did Drew Shelton, a fourth-round rookie tackle. Jordan Hudson, another undrafted rookie, caught 4 passes for 97 yards to lead all receivers.
The Cowboys lost 27-24 and finished the preseason 2-1. Dallas opens at the New York Giants on Sept. 13. Kickoff is 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.
