FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys will work the waiver wire on talent first, Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Wednesday, because there is no time to get to know players the way the team does with draft visits and free agents.
Dallas has draft reports on many of the players who will come available, and those reports speak to character. Schottenheimer said calling a friend on another staff about a player carries a catch.
“We look at the talent side of it first because it’s hard to get to know these guys,” Schottenheimer said. “You don’t have time to bring them in like you do the rookies for draft visits or free agents. And so you got to go off talent. A lot of these guys we have draft reports on that speak to the character. It’s got to be careful calling your buddy from another team about a player because they might be trying to get them back on practice squad or whatnot. But it’s very similar process. You trust the tape first and then you have conversations and you look back at reports.”
Inside the Cowboys Personnel Room
The personnel staff does not sleep for roughly 48 hours across the cutdown window, Schottenheimer said. Owner and general manager Jerry Jones, executive vice president Stephen Jones, and vice president of player personnel Will McClay are in the room for it. Schottenheimer said he looks forward to the give and take.
Waiver claims are due at noon CT Monday, Aug. 31. Rosters must be at 53 players by 5 p.m. CT Sunday, Aug. 30. Clubs place waiver claims in reverse order of the 2025 standings. Dallas finished 7-9-1 and second in the NFC East.
How Dallas Has Worked the Market This Year
Dallas signed defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard to a one-year deal in March, worth up to $2.5 million, after trading Osa Odighizuwa to San Francisco. Edge rusher Tyrus Wheat came back on March 11. Detroit had claimed Wheat off Dallas waivers a year earlier. He played 15 games for the Lions in 2025 and had 1.5 sacks.
Cornerback Derion Kendrick signed in March after four seasons that ended in Seattle. Guard T.J. Bass signed a second-round tender as a restricted free agent, and cornerback Reddy Steward signed an exclusive rights tender the same day.
Dallas drafted seven players in April and signed a group of undrafted free agents after it, including tight ends Michael Trigg out of Baylor and DJ Rogers out of TCU. Both are competing for a spot behind Jake Ferguson.
Dallas also franchise-tagged wide receiver George Pickens and signed extensions with running back Javonte Williams and kicker Brandon Aubrey before the draft.
Friday’s preseason finale against New Orleans kicks off at 7 p.m. CT at AT&T Stadium and airs on CBS locally. The Cowboys open the regular season Sunday, Sept. 13, at the New York Giants at 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.
