Cowboys vs. Seahawks preseason: Rookie Camden Brown’s two TDs lead Dallas to 17-7 win in Seattle
Camden Brown scored twice as the Cowboys won the Cowboys vs. Seahawks preseason opener 17-7 in Seattle, showcasing rookie playmaking and QB depth in a tightly contested exhibition.
Rookie Camden Brown’s breakout night
Camden Brown emerged as the biggest story of the preseason opener, hauling in two touchdown catches to power Dallas to a 17-7 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. The undrafted wideout turned heads with a 39-yard grab from Sam Howell in the second quarter and a contested, 2-yard fade from Joe Milton on the first drive of the third quarter. Brown’s combination of size and body control, developed through stops at Auburn and Georgia Southern, was on display throughout the night. Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer praised the rookie’s consistency, saying he has shown the same playmaking in practice.
Backup quarterbacks stake claims
Dallas used the exhibition to evaluate its No. 2 quarterback competition and received efficient outings from both contenders. Joe Milton completed 12 of 15 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown, while Sam Howell went 8 of 12 for 94 yards and added a scoring strike to Brown. Schottenheimer described both quarterbacks as “very efficient,” underscoring the coaching staff’s satisfaction with the depth chart options behind Dak Prescott. The performances give the Cowboys clearer data points as they finalize the backup role.
Seahawks open with a sustained drive
Seattle’s backups answered early, as Drew Lock orchestrated a 13-play, 80-yard drive capped by a 5-yard touchdown reception from Montorie Foster Jr. Lock finished 9 of 13 for 40 yards and the early score, while rookie Jalen Milroe completed 5 of 8 passes for 36 yards in relief. Foster led Seattle in receptions with five catches for 36 yards and praised Lock’s placement on the scoring throw. The Seahawks showed flashes of methodical offense despite rotating quarterbacks and missing some regulars.
Running back rotation and health concerns
Both teams leaned on younger rushers and backups in the preseason setting, producing modest ground results. Jaydon Blue, competing for snaps behind Javonte Williams, was held to 19 yards on eight carries by a stout Seattle front. George Holani paced the Seahawks with 42 yards on 12 carries after several Seattle backs sat out for health reasons. Malik Davis supplied Dallas with 39 yards on seven attempts, while notable Seattle runners — including Zach Charbonnet, Emanuel Wilson and first-round pick Jadarian Price — did not play due to injuries or rest protocols.
Defensive standouts and tackling leaders
Defensive playfactored heavily into the low-scoring affair, with special teams and tacklers making key contributions. Tyrice Knight led the Seahawks with 10 tackles, all in the first half, continuing the strong production that followed his 2024 fourth-round selection. Curtis Robinson paced the Cowboys with eight tackles, and multiple stops kept drives from gaining late momentum. The game also featured a lengthy punt return by Seattle’s Rashad Rochelle, who turned one into a 52-yard field-flipping opportunity in the third quarter.
Penalties and special teams drama
Discipline and special teams influenced field position throughout the contest, as the teams combined for 21 penalties that resulted in 174 penalty yards. Brandon Aubrey connected on a 29-yard field goal to trim Seattle’s lead in the second quarter, while Jason Myers missed a 45-yard attempt that would have extended the Seahawks’ advantage. Those swings, combined with the penalty-heavy play, limited rhythm for both offenses and emphasized areas coaches will address before the regular season.
Roster notes and off-field context
The preseason game offered the clubs a chance to evaluate depth and address ongoing roster questions. Cowboys running back Phil Mafah exited in the third quarter with a chest issue and was later ruled out, though coach Schottenheimer indicated the player was expected to be OK. Seahawks tackle Amari Kight left with a leg issue in the second quarter and iced the area on the sideline before returning to the locker room. Off the field, third-string quarterback Jalen Milroe publicly expressed support for Terrion Arnold following Seattle’s agreement with the cornerback, while noting the team’s expectations for conduct and integration.
Dallas will travel to Arizona for its next preseason test on August 22, while Seattle is scheduled to visit Tennessee on August 23. Coaches from both organizations will use the coming week to reassess snaps, monitor minor injuries and refine special teams assignments. The performances of players such as Brown and the Cowboys’ backup quarterbacks will be central to roster decisions as the clubs move closer to finalizing their 53-man rosters.
The exhibition in Seattle provided clear takeaways: Dallas found a potential deep-threat rookie in Camden Brown, its quarterback depth showed promising efficiency, and both teams revealed situational concerns — particularly penalties and running-back availability — that will shape preparations for the regular season.
