SAD NEWS: Brian Schottenheimer Makes Difficult Roster Decision — “This One Hurt the Most”

Frisco, TX – As the Dallas Cowboys trim down their roster ahead of the 2025 NFL season, Offensive Coordinator Brian Schottenheimer just opened up about one of the most emotional decisions of his coaching career.

Speaking after Tuesday’s practice at The Star, Schottenheimer confirmed he had to release a player who, according to him, “meant more than just football.”

“This one hurt the most… You build relationships, you see their growth, and sometimes business just doesn’t care about that.”

🧍 Who Got Cut?

Although the Cowboys haven’t officially released the player’s name, multiple sources around the team believe it could be running back Malik Davis or wide receiver Jalen Brooks — both of whom have shown flashes during training camp and preseason.

💔 Why This Cut Was So Painful

• The player was known for his work ethic and leadership.
• Frequently praised by teammates as a “team-first guy.”
• Reportedly showed consistent progress in meetings, drills, and live reps.
• Impressed coaches during the latest preseason game, but still fell short of the 53-man roster.

Schottenheimer added:

“You wish you could keep all 90 guys… but we have to think about the full 53-man picture, and sometimes that means making really tough calls.”

🔍 What This Says About the Cowboys

This moment sheds light on a few key truths:

• There’s real emotional investment from coaches and staff.
• The roster battles at RB and WR are fierce, with young talent pushing vets out.
• The Cowboys may be leaning harder into a youth movement on offense.

📈 A Sign of Bigger Changes?

The emergence of players like Deuce Vaughn, Ryan Flournoy, and undrafted standout John Stephens Jr. suggests Dallas is looking for versatile, explosive weapons. Unfortunately, that often means letting go of “tweener” players — too good for the practice squad, not quite impactful enough for the 53.