OXNARD, Calif. — Reddy Steward split a fourth-quarter sack with Tyrus Wheat in the Dallas Cowboys‘ 17-7 preseason win over the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on Saturday. Cowboys pass rush coach BT Jordan wanted the credit for it.
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer was asked about Steward two days later in Oxnard, after watching the film.
“It’s funny, because literally BT Jordan took credit for Reddy’s half a sack,” Schottenheimer said. “He said, yeah, I taught him that. I said, no, no, you can’t do that. Anybody gets a sack, you can’t take credit for it, okay, BT.
“But Reddy, he’s always ready to play. He does everything right,” Schottenheimer continued. “His motor, his effort, his communication skills. He played really well. Reddy has been, he’s having a really good camp.”
Reddy Steward Continues Undrafted Journey
Steward went undrafted out of Troy in 2024, spent his rookie year with the Chicago Bears, and the Cowboys claimed him off waivers from the Minnesota Vikings in August 2025.
He played all 17 games last season with five starts, mostly in the slot, and finished with 40 tackles, 1.5 sacks, three passes defensed, and a forced fumble. He was a two-time first-team All-Sun Belt selection at Troy and is listed at 5-foot-11 and 178 pounds.
Steward began the 2025 season on special teams and worked his way into the defense, playing more than half the snaps in six of the Cowboys’ final seven games.
Three Sacks Against Seattle
The half-sack was among the three Dallas sacks recorded in the win. James Houston had one in the second quarter, and Isaiah Land had one on fourth down at the Dallas 5 that ended the Seahawks’ last real chance. The three sacks cost Seattle 27 yards, and the Seahawks finished with 49 net passing yards and 156 total.
Wheat is in his second stint in Dallas. Rashan Gary was asked Monday what he has seen from him.
“He’s been the same person from the offseason, man. Just head down, ready to work and ready for his opportunity,” Gary said. “A guy like that, when you see him have success in a game, it’s not a surprise, because he comes out here, you see him in individual going balls to the wall. You see him in team making big plays. So, what we always talk about, practice to game, and that’s what he does.”
The Play On The Goal Line
Schottenheimer used the same answer to name a second player. Julius Wood, a second-year safety, made what the coach called an incredible play on the goal-line stand.
“Julius Wood, some big-time plays, the goal-line stand we had,” Schottenheimer said. “They ran a little toss play to their sideline, incredible play.”
Dallas stopped the Seahawks four straight times inside its own 5 after a muffed punt. Seattle gained 3 yards on first down and 1 on second, was stopped for no gain on third, and lost 14 more on the Land sack.
Where Reddy Steward Fits
BT Jordan works with Cowboys assistant Chidera Uzo-Diribe on the pass rush. Schottenheimer said Monday the two teach the position the same way, which is part of why Dallas felt comfortable adding Von Miller, who has trained with Jordan. Miller agreed to terms Sunday night on a one-year deal worth $5.5 million with a maximum value of $7.5 million, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Steward is one of several Dallas defensive backs competing for roles. Caleb Downs, the No. 11 overall pick, started in the secondary at Seattle and came off the field quickly by design. Malik Hooker, Jalen Thompson, and P.J. Locke were all held out.
Dallas allowed 511 points last season, most in the NFL, and finished 30th in yards allowed. Saturday was Christian Parker‘s first game calling plays as defensive coordinator, and Seattle scored on its opening drive and never again.
Steward forced a fumble on Arizona receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. in his lone appearance as a rookie with Chicago in 2024. Dallas travels to Arizona on Saturday.
The Cowboys host the New Orleans Saints for a joint practice Tuesday in Oxnard, then play at the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday at 9 p.m. CT on NFL Network.
