kk.BREAKING: Dallas Cowboys Release Two Rookies for Unprofessional Conduct and Not Fitting Team Culture
IRVING, Texas — In a high‑profile offseason move that’s immediately making waves across the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys have released two rookie players for what the organization described as “unprofessional conduct”
and failing to embrace the team’s culture and expectations, league sources tell ESPN. The decision comes as the franchise looks to solidify its identity after another missed playoff appearance and ongoing structural changes under head coach
Brian Schottenheimer.
“I don’t care how fast you run or how wide you catch — if you disrespect the process or the room, you’re out,” Schottenheimer said in addressing the roster moves. “We’re building for winners, not weekend warriors.
I promised Dallas a culture shift, and I’m delivering it.” The blunt statement reflects a renewed emphasis on professionalism at all levels of the Cowboys organization as it enters a critical offseason.
Dallas concluded the 2025 season with a 7–9–1 record — marking back‑to‑back losing seasons and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. After a disappointing campaign in which inconsistent
play and defensive lapses defined their slide, the Cowboys retained Schottenheimer as head coach heading into 2026 with hopes that continuity would help reboot the franchise’s fortunes.
The names of the two rookies cut have not been made public, but sources describe behavior deemed detrimental to team cohesion — including repeated missed meetings, lackluster engagement at practice,
and instances of poor attitude both on and off the field. According to insiders, the team decided early in the offseason that it would not tolerate conduct perceived as disrespectful to the process that the coaching staff and veterans have spent months reinforcing.
Dallas has been in the midst of an offseason reshuffle that goes beyond this roster move. The Cowboys’ defensive staff has seen significant turnover, with the recent hiring of Christian Parker as defensive coordinator
and additions like Derrick Ansley and Ryan Smith to the coaching ranks. These changes underscore a broader push to rebuild both schemes and culture on the defensive side of the ball after the 2025 defense struggled mightily.
The team’s young core — including standout wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who was recently named to the Pro Bowl again — continues to be a bright spot for the franchise as it looks to rebound. However, the Cowboys’ inability to translate offensive firepower into wins has been a recurring theme that Dallas leadership is intent on fixing.
Reactions from analysts around the NFL have been mixed. Some view the Cowboys’ decision as a bold step that mirrors successful rebuilds in other franchises, where high standards and accountability are enforced
from day one. Others have questioned whether cutting young players this early in the offseason might send the wrong message to developing talent still adjusting to the rigors of professional football.
Within the locker room, however, sources suggest veteran leaders support the move and see it as a way to establish clear expectations early in the offseason. With free agency, draft planning, and training camp looming,
Dallas is sending a clear signal that culture and conduct will be non‑negotiable components of its strategy moving forward.
As the Cowboys prepare for the 2026 campaign — where they aim to return to contention and end a playoff drought that has frustrated fans and management alike — this cultural reset may play a defining role. Whether it leads to sustained success remains to be seen, but the organization’s emphasis on accountability is unmistakable.
