Brian Schottenheimer speaks out after Cowboys' fight-filled practice with Saints

By most accounts, the Saints offense dominated Tuesday's practice, as the Cowboys struggled to cover star wide receiver Chris Olave. Dallas safety Jalen Thompson, however, took pride in winning every fight. Saints rookie wide receiver Brock Rechsteiner would beg to differ. Rechsteiner, the son of WWE Hall of Famer Scott Steiner, proved to be a chip off the old block when he suplexed Thompson.

Even if the Cowboys won the fights, that's not something to gloat about, especially after they angered head coach Brian Schottenheimer. 

Brian Schottenheimer reacts to fight-filled practice

"A little chippy," Schottenheimer said, via Tommy Yarrish of the team website. "Not the way we like to do business. Got to be better, but I've got to look at the film. We're certainly not going to take s— from anybody, but again, it was chippy on both sides. Like I've said, I want our guys to play on the edge without going over the edge. One guy sounds like he might have thrown a punch, and that's why he left practice early." 

That was Ezeiruaku, who has now been ejected twice for fisticuffs this offseason. Schottenheimer plans to speak with him after practice. 

The Cowboys coach said he and Saints HC Kellen Moore almost called off practice because of the fighting but opted not to sacrifice valuable reps. Schottenheimer felt his team still didn't maximize those. 

"Nobody wants this," Schottenheimer said. "We want to get the work in. I thought it settled down, but it was very chippy early on, and it's unfortunate." 

The Cowboys are aiming to snap a two-year playoff drought after going 7-9-1 in their first season under Schottenheimer last season. The team must be disciplined to accomplish that goal. After Tuesday's practice, it's apparent Dallas, which committed a league-leading 133 penalties in 2025, lacks it.