With roster cuts done and dusted, two former Cowboys were handed an NFL lifeline to continue their careers.
Roster cuts are now done and dusted, and for Brian Schottenheimer and the Dallas Cowboys, the 53-man roster for now is set.
So too the practice squad with 16 players currently on it.
But what about players who were cut from Dallas?
We know that Jaydon Blue was picked up by the Philadelphia Eagles for their practice squad, but the other "big" name, if you will, was Sam Williams.
Cut after four years in Dallas, during which he never really got going as a pass rusher, Schottenheimer and his staff decided it was time to move on.
And it is clear that other teams see value in what Sam brings to the table. According to Jordan Schultz, the Cleveland Browns have signed Williams, who now heads to a good defense as he looks to resurrect his career.
A former second-round pick who had penalty trouble and a lack of consistency in his game now moves to the AFC after 49 games (five starts) and 9.5 sacks across his four seasons (well, three, as he had an ACL injury in 2024).
But that wasn't the only news that stuck out.
Another former Cowboy, Mazi Smith, who was sent to the New York Jets as part of the Quinnen Williams trade last season, was released by Aaron Glenn's team.
No surprise there.
But Mazi, like Williams, also gets another shot in the NFL after the Miami Dolphins picked him up off waivers, and now lands on Miami's practice squad.
After playing just three games for the Jets last season, it was clear that Smith was struggling to break into the rotation under Glenn, as he played just 54 defensive snaps for the season.
So, the writing was on the wall.
But as one door closes in Dallas for Williams and New York for Mazi, another one opens in Cleveland and Miami.
"Busts''? That may be harsh. But it's a real view from Cowboys Nation. (In a different category is former All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs, who has joined the Seattle practice squad.)
What happens beyond that for the pair is unknown, but both the Browns and Dolphins clearly see value in bringing both in, even if it is for a practice squad spot.
Their NFL careers will continue in 2026, and they both still have a shot at getting onto the field for their respective teams.
