Dallas opens the 2026 preseason at Seattle, where Caleb Downs, Sam Howell and a wave of roster hopefuls get a first test against the defending champs.
The Dallas Cowboys vs. Seattle Seahawks preseason opener isn’t about the final score. It’s about finding out which Cowboys can actually play when somebody wearing a different-colored jersey is allowed to hit back.
Dallas opens its 2026 preseason against the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks. The matchup is the first of three exhibition games for Brian Schottenheimer’s Cowboys.
For Dallas, the spotlight should fall heavily on the young guys and roster-bubble players.
Start with Caleb Downs. The No. 11 overall pick has generated enormous buzz throughout camp, with veteran safety Malik Hooker praising his confidence and ability to compete against players such as CeeDee Lamb.
Whether Dallas gives Downs an extended workload or just a taste of NFL action, every snap will be worth watching.
Then there’s the backup quarterback situation.
Sam Howell has been getting plenty of work behind Dak Prescott and flashed during Tuesday’s joint practice against the Rams, including a red-zone touchdown throw to undrafted Baylor tight end Michael Trigg.
Howell also connected with KaVontae Turpin during team drills, giving Dallas another reason to watch how the second-team offense functions in Seattle.
Trigg might be one of Saturday night’s biggest names to monitor. Princeton Fant’s season-ending ACL injury has changed the numbers in the tight end room, leaving Trigg battling Luke Schoonmakee and others for positioning behind No. 1 Jake Ferguson and No. 2 Brevyn Spann-Ford.
The Cowboys also need answers at running back. Javonte Williams appears established atop the depth chart, but Jaydon Blue is trying to create separation in the race behind him.
Blue did have a fumble but also ripped off roughly a 50-yard screen touchdown during the Rams joint practice, while Malik Davis and Phil Mafah continue chasing snaps.
Defensively, Christian Parker’s new-look unit arrives with some momentum after an impressive joint session against Los Angeles. Second-year corner Shavon Revel broke up multiple passes, while Donovan Ezeiruaku continued generating pressure off the edge.
Seattle provides a perfect first measuring stick. The Seahawks are defending champions, and even if stars such as Sam Darnold, Jaxon Smith-Njigba or Leonard Williams receive limited or no work, Mike Macdonald’s roster is deep enough to expose mistakes.
Those players were all active in Seattle’s practices this week.
There’s also a little preview baked into this preseason meeting: Dallas returns to Lumen Field on Dec. 7 for a Monday Night Football regular-season matchup.
Saturday doesn’t count in the standings. For the Cowboys fighting for jobs, though, it absolutely counts.
WHAT: Dallas Cowboys (0-0) at Seattle Seahawks (0-0) NFL Preseason
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026 | 7 p.m. CT
WHERE: Lumen Field | Seattle, WA | Capacity 68,740
TV: CBS-11 - KTVT | NFL Network
RADIO: 105.3 The Fan - KRLD-FM
BETTING ODDS via DraftKings.com
SPREAD: DAL +3.5 | SEA -3.5
TOTAL: 39.5
MONEYLINE: DAL +150 | SEA -180
