Cowboys' preseason schedule offers early preview of 2 regular-season opponents

TL;DR

The Cowboys' preseason schedule includes two games against regular-season opponents, providing an early look at their competition. Fans will get insights into the team's performance ahead of the 2026 season.

Key points

Cowboys will play three preseason games
Two preseason games are against regular-season opponents
Preseason offers insights into team performance
Offseason changes will be evaluated during preseason
2026 schedule includes tough opponents

Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys' preseason schedule offers early preview of 2 regular-season opponents

You've already analyzed the Cowboys' 2026 schedule from every possible angle. You've formed hard and fast opinions about the logistics surrounding the Rio trip, the late placement of the bye week, the number of primetime appearances, the weather forecast for those road trips, and the gauntlet of tough opponents that will make up the team's run toward a postseason berth.

But remember, the 2026 Cowboys will take the field for three games prior to all of that. The preseason doesn't warrant the same kind of hype and likely won't even feature many of the superstar players who will carry the squad when the regular-season lights come on, but the preseason's exhibition contests will nevertheless give fans their first hints at whether all the offseason changes were enough.

And this year, two of the Cowboys' preseason battles will serve as previews for opponents they'll face later in the season.

Dallas will open their summer slate with West Coast visits to Seattle and Arizona, side trips that will likely coincide with training camp in Oxnard, Calif. The home opener will be in the third week of the preseason as Kellen Moore and the New Orleans Saints come marching into AT&T Stadium.

Dates and times for the preseason games have yet to be announced.

The Cowboys are scheduled to host the Cardinals for real in Week 8 and then will return to Lumen Field to play the Seahawks a second time in Week 13's Monday night matchup.