- Dallas Cowboys Preseason
Cowboys offseason surprisingly drama free, enter training camp more focused
We really made it to training camp with no drama.
When it comes to the Dallas Cowboys, it seems as if the organization corners the market on drama every offseason. This team is continuously on the lips of the media every year and it’s no wonder with an owner like Jerry Jones, who loves/craves the headline-grabbing free publicity. That’s why it’s so surprising things have been so quiet and drama free this offseason.
The Dallas Cowboys report to Oxnard, California this week to kick off training camp with zero headline-grabbing stories. This hasn’t been the case in the past. Usually at this time entering training camp the Cowboys are still facing the never-ending contract negotiations with one player or another.
In 2023, All-Pro RG Zack Martin missed a portion of training camp attempted to renegotiate his contract. The following year in 2024 contract negotiation surrounded the futures of both Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, the latter of which ended up missing the majority of training camp before signing an extension.
Then just last year there was on the back-and-forth drama between Jerry Jones and Micah Parsons. Parsons eventually requested a trade, which was granted when the Cowboys traded their All-Pro pass rusher to the Green Bay Packers. Things look to be headed the same direction in 2026 with WR George Pickens after a Pro Bowl season.
Unlike in the past though, Jerry Jones and Company made their intentions clear in regards to Pickens’ contract situation. Stephen Jones came right out and said “There won’t be negotiations on a long-term deal.” Despite some skepticism, he was true to his word and instead used the franchise tag to secure Pickens’ services for the 2026 season.
Now that the July 15 date has passed for the Cowboys to sign George Pickens to a long-term extension, No. 3 will make $27.3 million playing under the franchise tag this season. This put an end to any kind of headline-grabbing storyline in regards to Pickens’ situation, which was really the only potential drama the Cowboys were facing this offseason.
Outside the short-lived George Pickens contract saga the only other potential headline-grabbing situation was the pursuit of All-Pro pass rusher Maxx Crosby. Had that come to fruition Dallas once again would’ve likely been the talk of the town, but as we know now that all came to nothing.
After a quiet and drama free offseason, Cowboys start training camp Wednesday in Oxnard, California more focused on improving as a team instead of focusing on any outside noise. They can now zero in on improving the offense, rebuilding the defense in Christian Parker’s image, and hopefully getting over the playoff hump (fingers crossed).
We seem to be entering a new territory with the Dallas Cowboys and there’s hope this new approach will pay off. It’s going to be really interesting to watch when training camp gets underway. Dallas may not have made any big offseason moves, but through free agency, trades, and this year’s draft picks they’ve overhauled the defense and hopefully upgrade as the roster as a whole. Only time will tell if things will be different though.
Are you buying that things are different in Dallas? Or is this just the calm before some kind of storm?
- Dallas Cowboys Preseason
- Dallas Cowboys Training Camp
