Cowboys news: Dallas loses final preseason game to the Saints

The Dallas Cowboys were unable to go undefeated in the preseason, dropping the final game to the New Orleans Saints. Next on the horizon are roster cuts which will be coming this weekend.

In other news, Jaishawn Barham hasn't wasted any time making an impact in Dallas during the offseason, and now he's set to contribute in a big way as a rookie. Malachi Lawrence is in a loaded defensive end room, but what he brings to the table skill wise will earn him notable playing time.

The Cowboys almost pulled off a comeback, but fell short.

Zach Wilson led a drive to Daniel Carlson 's 53-yard field goal with 1:55 remaining, and the New Orleans Saints beat the Dallas Cowboys 27-24 in a preseason finale Friday night. Sam Howell threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes and had a tying 2-point conversion run for the Cowboys (2-1), who erased a 15-point deficit but missed out on their first undefeated preseason in 20 years.

Zach Wilson led a drive to Daniel Carlson 's 53-yard field goal with 1:55 remaining, and the New Orleans Saints beat the Dallas Cowboys 27-24 in a preseason finale Friday night.

Sam Howell threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes and had a tying 2-point conversion run for the Cowboys (2-1), who erased a 15-point deficit but missed out on their first undefeated preseason in 20 years.

Rookie linebacker Jaishawn Barham has been a standout during training. His role in his first year is set to be a significant one.

Beginning at camp with the second-team unit getting snaps off the ball and on the ball as an outside linebacker, Barham built trust with his coaching staff in a hurry to start getting first-team reps almost as soon as the pads came on one week into camp. Also, don't mistake his quiet nature for confusion. In fact, it's Barham's intelligence that not only allows him to be versatile for new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, but also an option as a lead communicator in the defense. "Him playing both [positions] is one of the cheat codes that he has," Parker said. "It's not like he's seeing things he hasn't seen before. I think he's a fast processor, and he's one of those guys that's eager to learn."

Beginning at camp with the second-team unit getting snaps off the ball and on the ball as an outside linebacker, Barham built trust with his coaching staff in a hurry to start getting first-team reps almost as soon as the pads came on one week into camp.

Also, don't mistake his quiet nature for confusion. In fact, it's Barham's intelligence that not only allows him to be versatile for new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, but also an option as a lead communicator in the defense.

"Him playing both [positions] is one of the cheat codes that he has," Parker said. "It's not like he's seeing things he hasn't seen before. I think he's a fast processor, and he's one of those guys that's eager to learn."

Dallas is wrapping up their training camp as preparations for the 2026 season are set to begin. However, a plethora of players are fighting to make the final 53-man roster.

Patrik: This might be one of the most difficult cutdowns in recent memory for Brian Schottenheimer and the Cowboys. Of course, the majority of the roster is something most people can predict well ahead of time. That said, I don't think it's as much as most my think. Schottenheimer says pump the brakes on crowning Joe Milton over Sam Howell, so will Dallas carry three QBs? Or can Milton push Howell out in the preseason finale??

Malachi Lawrence will have to earn his reps in 2026 with the bodies in the defensive end room. However, he's got the skill set to make an impact.

Malachi Lawrence, one of Dallas' first-round picks from 2026, joins Guyton in this elite fraternity. Like Guyton, he's a raw first round talent who needs lots of development as he learns the pro game. Like Guyton, Lawrence is a player needing a ton of technical refinement. Like Guyton, he's going to flash good and bad early in his career. And like Guyton, the sky is the limit for this supremely talented young player. 4 Cowboys who could survive roster cuts thanks to their contracts – Jess Haynie, The Landry Hat Dallas will trim its roster soon for the upcoming season. There may be several players who could end up making the final roster due to financial reasons. Sam Williams – OLB Coincidentally, it's the Sam on defense who presents a similar conundrum. It was surprising enough that Dallas brougth Williams back at all this offseason, but especially that the bulk of it was guaranteed. Williams' entire $1.4 million base salary is owed to him regardless of if he makes the roster, and he got a $600k signing bonus along with it.

Malachi Lawrence, one of Dallas' first-round picks from 2026, joins Guyton in this elite fraternity. Like Guyton, he's a raw first round talent who needs lots of development as he learns the pro game. Like Guyton, Lawrence is a player needing a ton of technical refinement. Like Guyton, he's going to flash good and bad early in his career. And like Guyton, the sky is the limit for this supremely talented young player.

Dallas will trim its roster soon for the upcoming season. There may be several players who could end up making the final roster due to financial reasons.

Coincidentally, it's the Sam on defense who presents a similar conundrum. It was surprising enough that Dallas brougth Williams back at all this offseason, but especially that the bulk of it was guaranteed. Williams' entire $1.4 million base salary is owed to him regardless of if he makes the roster, and he got a $600k signing bonus along with it.

The offensive line as a whole has been a topic of discussion this offseason. Could depth concerns end up costing the Cowboys?

Outside of Steele being the starting right tackle and continuing to get worked every single day in drills, I don't think the team has their current backup swing tackle on the roster, and that is another issue. One other thing to note, take a look at the transaction wire, nobody is cutting starting caliber offensive tackles, and for the Cowboys that is a major issue. It is not like they can just wait until they do their round of cuts and dumb whomever they want, and go look at the wire, pick up the phone and get the average guy in the building. It just hasn't shaken out like that this summer.

Outside of Steele being the starting right tackle and continuing to get worked every single day in drills, I don't think the team has their current backup swing tackle on the roster, and that is another issue.

One other thing to note, take a look at the transaction wire, nobody is cutting starting caliber offensive tackles, and for the Cowboys that is a major issue.

It is not like they can just wait until they do their round of cuts and dumb whomever they want, and go look at the wire, pick up the phone and get the average guy in the building. It just hasn't shaken out like that this summer.