The Dallas Cowboys are mourning the sudden death of rookie defensive end Marshawn Kneeland. Owner Jerry Jones made his first public statement, emphasizing the deep impact Kneeland had on the organization and his teammates.
When asked about Kneeland’s death, Jones said to 105.3 The Fan that he was ‘devastated’. He added that it was hard to believe the content on the other phone in the middle of the night when they all received the news.
Jones described Kneeland as a bright presence in the locker room and praised the young player for his dedication and passion for the game. He said the entire team felt the loss profoundly.
“We all are having to share the sorrow, all are having to share the different ways or different things that come through your mind,” Jones said. “It’s not light that as a teammate, Marshawn touched everybody in many different ways.
The statement highlighted Kneeland’s work ethic and character. Jones shared that he consistently impressed coaches and veteran players, contributing both on the field and in practice sessions.
Cowboys players expressed grief over the loss. Many took to social media to honor Kneeland’s memory, sharing messages about his leadership, positivity, and influence on younger teammates.
Jones acknowledged the team’s need to support each other during this challenging period. He emphasized that player and staff well-being would be a priority while the organization navigates this tragedy.
The death occurred shortly after the conclusion of Dallas’ recent games. Kneeland had participated in team activities and was preparing for the upcoming schedule when news of his passing reached the franchise.
The Cowboys announced plans to honor Kneeland in upcoming games. Staff and players will wear commemorative patches and participate in pregame ceremonies to celebrate his life and contributions.
Jones also stressed the importance of family support for both Kneeland’s relatives and Cowboys personnel. Counseling and mental health resources were being made available to help players process their grief.
Team members reflected on Kneeland’s enthusiasm for football. He was described as a determined athlete who approached every practice and meeting with focus, helping elevate the overall performance of the defensive unit.
Fans and local community members joined in remembrance. Tributes included social media posts, moments of silence at team events, and statements from former teammates praising Kneeland’s influence both on and off the field.
The organization acknowledged the difficulty of moving forward while honoring his legacy. Jones said the team would carry forward Kneeland’s memory through their actions and commitment on the field.
Players and staff plan to participate in memorial events before upcoming matchups. The Cowboys are determined to ensure Kneeland’s contributions are remembered by the franchise, the fans, and the broader NFL community.
Jones concluded by encouraging unity. He stated that while the loss is tragic, the spirit Kneeland brought to the team will continue to inspire teammates and coaches throughout the season.
The Cowboys now focus on both grieving and preparing for future games. Marshawn Kneeland’s impact, dedication, and leadership will remain central to how the organization honors him moving forward.
The Cleveland Browns are off to a 2-7 start, and fans have called for head coach Kevin Stefanski to be fired.
However, it is unlikely that Stefanski will be fired this season. Meanwhile, Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot revealed that he is likely to return in 2026. General manager Andrew Berry is also expected back, according to Cabot.
“The truth is, we have no idea what they are actually really thinking,” Cabot said on 92.3 The Fan. “I know going into it, Jimmy Haslam has indicated, I believe at the owner’s meetings, that he wasn’t holding Kevin and Andrew’s feet to the fire because this was the year they were trying to figure out what they had in one of these rookie quarterbacks. Or, at least at that point, they knew it was going to be one rookie quarterback.
“I don’t think there was this sense of ‘win or else’ this season. It was about fact-finding and figuring out what they had and helping them inform what to do in the 2026 draft. I just don’t think this was a year where the expectations were super, crazy high. But, still, you have to see certain things from your football team. … I do think that Jimmy believes in continuity and alignment in his organization. And, he knows that this is a challenging year with all of the rookies. In a perfect world, he’s going to want to try to maintain that continuity. And, see if they can’t get this thing on the right track with a new quarterback they will probably draft in 2026.
Cabot believes Haslam still has confidence in Berry and Stefanski, and both could very well return next season with a new quarterback.
Cleveland has struggled this season as the Browns are off to a 2-7 start and coming off a disappointing 27-20 road loss to the New York Jets.
Following the loss, Stefanski made it clear that the goal and focus are on turning it around and finding ways to win.
“Obviously frustrated, disappointed on that result yesterday,” Stefanski said on Monday. “And we’re spending time right now watching it with the players and trying to learn from that. You know, hard to win on the road, and certainly hard when you do some of the things we did in that ball game. But we’re committed to this thing, and we’ll just find ways to get better in all areas and we’ll go from there. Big division game at our place this week.”
Stefanski believes the Browns have to be better in all three phases of the game. Despite that being an issue all season, he has full confidence in his group.
The Browns will host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday in a game Cleveland is a 7.5-point underdog.
Although Stefanski hasn’t been fired, and there are no signs he will be, his name has come up for other jobs.
The New York Giants fired Brian Daboll on Monday after a loss to the Chicago Bears. Following Daboll’s firing, NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky links Stefanski to the Giants.
“The No. 1 name that I would pay attention to if I were the Giants is what happens in Cleveland with Kevin Stefanski,” Orlovsky said on Monday on NFL Live. “If I could hand-pick a guy, it would be Stefanski. He’s an outstanding coach, two-time Coach of the Year.
“I understand people in Cleveland are like, ‘This guy can’t coach’. But there’s a lot of empirical data that would say otherwise. … I would pay attention to see what’s going on in Cleveland.”
Stefanski has been the Browns’ head coach since 2020 and has led them to the playoffs twice.