Rising Stars in Cowboys’ Preseason Play | Cardinals Recap
For the first time since 2007, the Cowboys have opened with two straight wins in the preseason. In Arizona, Dallas beat the Cardinals 34-13. Now…preseason doesn’t matter, right?
While I don’t want to make any crazy claims based on these games. I truly think that winning these games and having your backups look better than other teams’ backups can show that the talent floor of this team is higher.
I have watched plenty of Cowboys football where the backups couldn’t put together a decent drive. Then they followed it up with losing seasons. That doesn’t mean I haven’t seen winning seasons after poor preseasons. But I will note that, in those times, an injury or having to call on one of those backups is usually when the Cowboys have ultimately crumbled late in the year.
Before I get too much into the weeds of hopeium. Let’s recap the Cardinals game and take a look at some position battles and highlights.
Joe Milton Getting Comfortable
Joe Milton played the 2nd half of the Seahawks game, and last night he played the 1st half against Arizona. Milton has thrown for 286 yards and scored four touchdowns (3 in the air, 1 rushing) through his first two halves played. We aren’t sure of how much he’ll play in the 3rd and final preseason game just yet.
HC Brian Schottenheimer has been impressed with Milton but did not want to call the battle for QB2 over just yet. Milton has been getting more comfortable with the touch on the ball and his confidence in operating with the playbook.
“I’m able to go into the huddle and just say the play clear, tell the guys where they need to go,” Milton said. “If guys have questions in the huddle, I’m able to answer those without just making sure with my coach and making sure that I’m right. I’m able to be confident enough to tell them what they got in the huddle and demand that from the guys.”
Joe Milton LAUNCHES it for a 53-yard TD pass to Jonathan Mingo 🚀
I think this touchdown speaks a lot for the young quarterback. He has an incredible arm and can get distance on the ball. That was already known. But as that ball carried through the air, I only hoped that it would land somewhere close to Mingo, and it couldn’t have been placed any better.
Milton also showed his ability to keep the play alive, scrambling out of a crumbling pocket and finding Camden Brown on an out route; Brown ran it 70 yards, setting up the Joe Milton QB keeper and a score.
What’s Next? – We will need to watch how the QBs are deployed in this next preseason game; if Milton plays only the 1st quarter, I think the QB2 competition is a wrap. If the Cowboys asked me my opinion, I think Milton has won this battle.
Jaishawn Barham Makes His Debut
A strong start to camp for Barham generated a lot of buzz for him to have a bigger role. Though he was caught up with a groin injury that caused him to miss some time, including a game and joint practice.
Last night, we finally got to see him in action. Across 18 defensive snaps, Barham recorded five tackles, a tackle for loss, a quarterback pressure, and a run stuff.
It’s nice to see him show off the things he gave us a glimpse of in practice. Now actually being able to hit someone. Barham played middle linebacker, dropped back in coverage a couple of times. But he definitely excels when he can be a downhill, run-and-hit player.
He made that TFL immediately in the game, quickly shedding the block attempt. The aggression he has on the blitz, I feel like any RB attempting to block him will be blown up.
What’s Next? – I think this discussion would have been stronger if it weren’t for the injury. Barham should be a contender to be a starting linebacker on this team. At least have a big role in 2026.
Shavon Revel has been trying to prove that he should be the starting outside cornerback opposite DaRon Bland. He had an interception yesterday and continues to show everyone he is progressing back from his injury.
“I’m just stacking days, you know what I mean?” he said. “I’m taking everything one rep at a time, just building on top of what I’ve already built. I’m not thinking too much, or overthinking every time I walk into the room. I wake up with confidence, and keeping that faith in God.
Revel is back to full speed after an ACL injury that sidelined him for a year and half. He played at the end of last season for Dallas but was thrown into the fire as a rookie.
What’s Next? – As Revel is still being considered for CB2 between him and Cobie Durant, I think continuing to be consistent will get him on the field in 2026.
While there is still one week of training camp and one more game before cutdown day. The team left Oxnard, California, returning home today, and overall it feels like there has been a more symbolic ending to training camp already.
Many decisions have been made or are really close to being made. There are plenty of players who are doing their final parts in putting out good tape, so a team, Cowboys or not, might just pick them up for the season. Let’s wrap up with a wholesome ending.
Shiyazh Pete, the first Navajo to sign an NFL contract, soaks up the love from the thousands…and I mean several thousand, fans following the @dallascowboys game in Arizona @AZCardinals Those fans stood on their feet seem the time he entered the game in 4th qtr thru postgame pic.twitter.com/eOO1hWRCWX
Shiyaz Pete was showered with cheers all night. There might not be another player on the Cowboys who has as much support as Pete. While he’s been working with the 3rd team offensive line, I am not sure what the future holds for Pete. But if there’s a roster spot available for post-game speeches, it’s Pete’s.
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