Brian Schottenheimer Stays Upbeat After Heavy Loss to Ravens, Praises Each Player Individually

The Dallas Cowboys dropped their second straight preseason game with a 31–13 defeat against the Baltimore Ravens, but new head coach Brian Schottenheimer remained calm in his postgame press conference. He made it clear this wasn’t a time for panic — instead, it was about “pushing the work button,” not the “panic button.”

Schottenheimer’s tone was steady, emphasizing accountability and the importance of building consistency. “We didn’t execute the way we needed to, especially early,” he said. “But this isn’t about pressing alarms. It’s about getting back to work and stacking plays.”

The Cowboys’ offense struggled badly, totaling just 273 yards and going 3-for-12 on third downs. Rookie quarterback Joe Milton had a rough outing (2-of-8, 14 yards, 1 interception), including a costly safety on the opening drive. Still, Schottenheimer downplayed concerns: “I’m not worried about Joe. He’s young, he’s learning. He’s got to throw the ball away in some situations, but that’s part of the process.”

Competition for the backup QB role remains open, with Milton and Will Grier still under evaluation. Schottenheimer did give credit to Cooper Rush, now with the Ravens, for his poise and veteran play.

The offense couldn’t establish rhythm, failing to move the chains and suffering from penalties that stalled drives. The Ravens dominated time of possession, outgaining Dallas 273–31 in the first half alone. “We’ve got to be better on third down and stay on the field,” Schottenheimer admitted.

There were positives on the depth chart. Young receivers Floreno and Mingo flashed, with Mingo pulling down a 49-yard grab before exiting with a knee injury. Rookie OL Tyler Booker earned valuable reps, while cornerback Booth Jr. shined with an interception. Still, the overall physicality in the trenches lagged behind Baltimore’s front.

Schottenheimer closed by stressing growth over excuses: “This isn’t just preseason. We need to correct mistakes on film, practice with more physicality, and build trust in our execution. There are plenty of good players here — but we have to play like it.”

For Dallas, the preseason continues to be a testing ground. Starters like Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb sat out, while the focus remained on giving younger players reps. With more injuries piling up — including concerns over Mingo — Schottenheimer’s challenge is clear: fix execution, raise physical toughness, and steady a team still searching for rhythm under his leadership.