Cowboys vs. Rams Preseason Preview: New Coaches, QB Battle, and Micah Parsons Drama
OXNARD, Calif. — The Dallas Cowboys kick off their 2025 preseason Saturday night against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. The game starts at 6 p.m. CST and comes with many big storylines.
There’s a new head coach, a quarterback competition, and questions about whether star linebacker Micah Parsons will play at all.
New Coach and Parsons Situation
Brian Schottenheimer is starting his first season as the Cowboys’ head coach. He takes over for Mike McCarthy after the team went 7–10 last year. But even before the games begin, he’s dealing with drama.
Micah Parsons, one of the team’s best players, asked to be traded earlier this month. He hasn’t said yet if he plans to play in the preseason.
“We’ll continue to talk and work through it,” Schottenheimer told DallasCowboys.com. “He’s still a big part of what we’re doing here.”
Owner Jerry Jones has said the team has no plans to trade Parsons. However, the situation is still hanging over the team as they try to focus on football.
New Faces on Offense
The Cowboys made several moves on offense this offseason. One of the biggest was trading for wide receiver George Pickens from the Steelers. Last year, Pickens averaged 15.2 yards per catch, which tied for sixth among wide receivers with at least 80 targets, according to Pro Football Reference. He’s already working well with CeeDee Lamb during training camp.
The team also added running backs Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams to replace Rico Dowdle. Together, Sanders and Williams rushed for 878 yards last season. Dallas hopes using both of them in a rotation will maximize their abilities.
The Cowboys also used their first-round pick on guard Tyler Booker, who is expected to start right away. However, the offensive line might be missing tackle Tyler Guyton for the first few weeks. He has a fractured knee.
Backup Quarterback Battle
Dak Prescott is the clear starter, but staying healthy has been a problem. He missed significant time in both 2020 and 2022, so the Cowboys need a strong backup.
Joe Milton was traded from New England and is getting a shot. He’s a second-year quarterback out of Tennessee with a huge arm, but not much NFL experience. Will Grier is also in the mix after returning to Dallas from a short stay with the Bengals. Grier played college football at West Virginia.
Both Milton and Grier are expected to get many snaps Saturday night. Their performance could decide who gets the backup job and how much trust the team has in Prescott.
Defense Gets a New Look
Matt Eberflus is now the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator. He was the head coach of the Chicago Bears and is known for a tough, disciplined defense that focuses on tackling and communication.
Dallas signed linebacker Kenneth Murray and cornerback Kaiir Elam to help improve the defense. According to Pro Football Focus, Elam had a coverage grade of 71.2 last year and has looked great in camp so far.
Rookie edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku might also get some early snaps, especially if Parsons doesn’t play.
Rams Playing It Safe
The Rams are expected to rest most of their starters, including quarterback Matthew Stafford. Head coach Sean McVay rarely plays key players in the preseason.
That means backups Stetson Bennett and rookie Jackson Dart will lead the offense. Dart had a big season at Ole Miss in 2024, throwing 29 touchdowns, according to StatMuse.
This gives Dallas a great chance to test their younger players and see who’s ready for bigger roles.
Who to Watch
Quarterbacks: Prescott will play one or two drives before Milton and Grier take over.
Wide receivers: Lamb and Pickens will play limited snaps, then the backups will rotate in.
Running backs: Sanders and Williams will get the start, followed by rookies and depth players.
Defense: Elam, Osa Odighizuwa, and Dante Fowler will rotate across both defensive units.
Special teams: Players on the edge of the roster will get extra time on kick and punt coverage.
Why This Game Matters
Even though the preseason doesn’t count in the standings, it still matters a lot. This is the first real chance to see what their systems look like in live action.
“This is where we find out who can play on Sundays,” Schottenheimer said.
With the Parsons trade drama, the new coaching staff, and the battle for backup quarterback, the Cowboys are looking for answers. Their 2025 journey begins this weekend.