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Dallas Cowboys has a clear goal this offseason: to become a tough opponent for the rest of the NFL.
Perhaps one of the most thoughtful points is that head coach Brian Schottenheimer will not have an adjustment week in his first year with the Cowboys.
According to the NFL, Dallas will open the season by visiting the Philadelphia Eagles, the reigning Super Bowl champions. The matchup is scheduled for Thursday, September 4 .
Being aggressive and physical is not something we are used to seeing from America's Team, but we could be in for a big surprise this 2025 and see a team with no brakes. But to do that, Brian Schottenheimer knows he has to bolster both lines.
That's when offensive guard Tyler Booker and defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku were selected. And according to Pro Football Focus, there is no doubt that Big D prioritized his first two trench selections at the start of the draft to strengthen both sides of the line of scrimmage.
Thus, while Dante Fowler Jr., Soloman Thomas and Payton Turner signed in free agency, "Booker, who earned the fourth-best true -blocking grade in the nation last season, should immediately compete for a starting guard spot and help solidify the interior protection," describes PFF.
On the other hand, regarding Ezeiruaku, Pro Football Focus states that the defensive end "brings both pedigree and production to the edge opposite Micah Parsons. He was the only edge defender in the FBS to post a run-defense grade of 80.0 or higher in each of the past three seasons."
Schottenheimer's goal
With an eye on a tough team, Donovan will play a key role in the rotation while Tyler will start at right guard.
In addition, former Texas Longhorns running back Jaydon Blue was selected by the team in the fifth round of the draft and will be looking to contribute and sur his numbers from last season. He totaled 730 yards and 8 touchdowns on the ground and 368 yards and 6 touchdowns through the air.
Considering that he opens the preseason on August 9 against Los Angeles Rangers, and the regular season against Eagles on September 4, the trench warfare plan put forward by the Cowboys hope to get great results for this 2025.
Confirmed games
In its first week of preseason, Dallas will face the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, Aug. 9 at SoFi Stadium. On Saturday, August 16, AT&T Stadium will host the Baltimore Ravens in the second week of the preseason and the Atlanta Falcons in the third week on Friday, August 22.
Meanwhile, after the opening game against the Eagles, the Cowboys will have the traditional Thanksgiving game against the Kansas City Chiefs and will face the Lions and the Commanders on Christmas Day.