Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images Micah Parsons will reportedly be reporting to Dallas Cowboys training camp amid contract negotiations. There will be no last-second curveball. Micah Parsons is set to report to Dallas Cowboys training camp. #Cowboys 3x All-Pro Micah Parsons will report to Oxnard, California for training camp despite not having a long-term contract extension with the organization, sources tell me. pic.twitter.com/Rojv9tRT57 — Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) July 20, 2025 Sunday is the official report day for the Cowboys and their first practice in Oxnard, California will take place on Tuesday. It should be noted here that Parsons, who is in the middle of contract negotiations with the Cowboys, has said for a few months now that he would report to training camp even without a new deal (he also reported to mandatory offseason things up to this point) so that this isn’t shocking, but it means that there will be no change up at the last second. Recall that CeeDee Lamb held out from training camp last year and that other players have historically both with the Cowboys and across the league as a whole. It has been debated whether or not Parsons would, but we should also consider and remember that he first became eligible for an extension last offseason and did not hold out of any activity across the entire 2024 calendar year. Parsons recently told The Undertaker (seriously) that he wanted to get this done last year and that he does not understand why the front office makes the matters more complicated. Shortly after that interview made the rounds the Pittsburgh Steelers gave T.J. Watt a new deal valued at $41M per year, something that will certainly serve as a factor in these conversations.

Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images We’re counting down to the season opener (Day 46) with some Cowboys history We’re counting down the days until the Dallas Cowboys battle the Philadelphia Eagles in the season opener of the 2025 NFL season. To pass the time and mark the days, we are running through 100 Days of Cowboys. So sit back and enjoy some Cowboys history while we countdown to football. Today – number 46. Sean Lee Born: July 22, 1986. Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaPosition: LinebackerDallas Cowboys: 2010-2020Awards: All-Pro- 2016Pro Bowl– 2015, 2016 Photo by Rob Leiter/Getty Images Sean Lee played linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys from 2010 to 2020, after being selected in the second round out of Penn State. Nicknamed “The General” for his intelligence and leadership, Lee was the heart of the Cowboys’ defense when healthy. He was a two-time Pro Bowler and earned First-Team All-Pro honors in 2016, thanks to his elite instincts, film study habits, and sideline-to-sideline range. Despite battling multiple injuries throughout his career, Lee remained a respected team captain and mentor, often serving as the defensive play-caller on the field. SEAN LEE IS ON #LARvsDAL | #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/oMGS1PO1ie — Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 15, 2019 Best known for:Lee was best known for his football IQ, leadership, and tackling ability, acting as the quarterback of the Cowboys’ defense. Unfortunately, Lee is also best known for being often injured and missing large chunks of seasons. RT if Sean Lee’s got you HYPED!!!! #DALvsPHI | #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/EUaXvzgVhI — Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) November 2, 2020 Lesser known fact:Before committing to football full-time, Lee was a standout basketball player in high school and even considered pursuing the sport at the collegiate level. His court awareness and agility translated well into his ability to read and react on the football field.

Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images Your Sunday morning Cowboys news. DeMarvion Overshown provides positive medical update – Charean Williams, PFT Overshown previously said he hoped to be back by Thanksgiving, it seems like his doctors share at least some of his optimism. Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown tore the ACL, MCL and PCL in his right knee in Week 14, which put his entire 2025 season in jeopardy. Overshown always has had a positive outlook, and it appears the medical staff has given him a positive update. “Good news from the Doc! We getting active THIS szn,” Overshown wrote on Instagram. It remains to be seen when that will be. Overshown will start training camp on active/physically unable to perform and likely will move to reserve/PUP before the season as he continues his rehab into the season. 5 position battles to watch in Cowboys training camp: Who’s starting at strong safety? – Joseph Hoyt, DMN Hoyt looks at the position battles at RB, DL, CB, S, and TE. Here’s his take on what’s happening at tight end: At 6-7, Cowboys tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford has a reputation that precedes him. He entered last season as someone the Cowboys, from a physical stance, believed they could count on as a blocker. Heading into this season, the Cowboys are raising their expectations for him. “This guy is just not a run blocker and a pass protector. This guy can be a weapon,” Schottenheimer said of Spann-Ford, who had nine catches for 88 yards last season, “because of his size in the middle of the field, matched up on linebackers and safeties. “He’s another guy that when he puts the pads on you’re going to see on the field.” We’ll also see if he can take a step above fellow tight end Luke Schoonmaker. The Cowboys have wanted more out of Schoonmaker since they selected him in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft. He had eight catches for 65 yards in his rookie season. Last year, Schoonmaker finished with 27 catches for 241 yards and a touchdown. Can Schoonmaker take another step? Or will Spann-Ford grow enough in Year 2 to overtake him as the second tight end behind starter Jake Ferguson? 6 players on roster bubble before Cowboys training camp begins includes first-round pick – Mike Crum, Cowboys Wire Two of the six players that could be on the outs after training camp. LB Damone Clark Damone Clark has 24 starts with the Cowboys for two different defensive coordinators, playing over 1,300 defensive snaps and nearly 500 special teams plays. He has never been able to solidify his spot as one of the top guys at the position, however. Dallas continued to draft players and sign veterans to play ahead of him, and this offseason, they signed Jack Sanborn, traded up to draft Shemar James, and acquired Kenneth Murray through a trade. Dallas now has depth at the position, and Clark is in the final year of his deal. If the team wants to be shrewd, they could let Clark go and keep a James and or a Justin Barron to protect them from being stolen off waivers. Sanborn, Murray, Marist Liufau, James, and Barron can hold the spots on the 53-man roster until DeMarvion Overshown returns from injury. DE Payton Turner Payton Turner is the other defensive player on the bubble for Dallas. The position he is playing makes it challenging because the team has Micah Parsons and Dante Fowler Jr. as starters. They also have three young, top 50 picks at the position. Turner was a first-round pick, but hasn’t started a game yet because he was injured early on. He only played 15 games in his first three seasons before getting in 16 last year. He has potential, but at a position with two double-digit sack players as starters and multiple young investments, the Cowboys may need to give snaps to their other options, making Turner the odd man out. Have the Cowboys done enough to become contenders? – Staff, DallasCowboys.com The question everyone is wondering. Have they done enough to become contenders? Kyle: Usually, I’d say the term “contenders” is conditional to the situation. Is the expectation to “contend” within the division? The NFC? For a Super Bowl? But this year, they all run together. With the Eagles and Commanders coming off the season they just had, the Cowboys will need to be ready to contend with anyone. I believe their close, but not there yet. This was a good offseason. Adding George Pickens should help the offense tremendously. Adding depth at multiple defensive positions will be a huge asset later in the year. And re-vamping the offensive line with young talent is very exciting to see. There are just too many questions in key spots like defensive tackle, cornerback, and running back for me to stand on the table and proclaim this as one of the top teams in the league. Can they contend for the division and make a push for the playoffs? Absolutely. But there needs to be a bevy of things to go right for that to happen. Kurt: Contenders for the playoffs? Yes. Contenders to raise the Lombardi Trophy? Well, never say never. Remember, the disappointment of last season was largely caused by the number of injuries the team suffered, primarily losing starting quarterback Dak Prescott. If Dallas had been healthier in 2024, I think slipping into the playoffs as a wild-card seed was definitely possible, which is an outlook the team again faces this year. If the Cowboys can stay healthy, they can take second in the division and vie for a postseason berth. If they can’t, another hard-luck campaign lies ahead. Now, as far as loftier heights, the real problem is the defending champs are looming as the Eagles are still considered one of the top teams in the NFL. Right now, I don’t think Dallas can topple their NFC East rivals for the division crown. Of course, no one expected

Tim Heitman-Imagn Images DeMarvion Overshown shared a positive update about his health. It has been a long time since we have seen the Dallas Cowboys play football in general, but that is about to come to an end with the team scheduled to report to training camp in Oxnard on Sunday. There will be eyes on a lot of things, and thanks to an update from one player specifically, a bit more attention will be paid to number 13 on the team. On Saturday afternoon linebacker DeMarvion Overshown took to his Instagram story to share what seems to be a positive health update. Overshown noted that he received good news from the doctor and pledged to be “active” this season. Some good medical news from Cowboys LB DeMarvion Overshown pic.twitter.com/99tBbvzuud — Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) July 19, 2025 The degree that “active” means in Overshown’s words is obviously unknown, but it is logical to assume that he may mean it in its most literal sense. If that is the case, then he is declaring that he will be playing at some point in 2025. To be frank, this would be somewhat of a medical miracle (something Overshown seems to be noting in his gratitude to the team’s medical staff). He tore his ACL, MCL and PCL back in December against the Cincinnati Bengals. Recovering from that in general is a steep hill to climb, but doing so in under a year from the point of injury would be astounding. It is important to maintain patience here and for the Cowboys to not rush Overshown back to the field. He showed throughout the time he played in 2024, after he missed all of his rookie season due to injury, that he can absolutely be a foundational part of this defense moving forward.

John Jones-Imagn Images The latest news from around the division. Steelers blockbuster just flipped the script on Brian Burns’ $141M payday – Matt Sidney, GMenHQ.com A rising market makes the Brian Burns deal feel like a steal. It wasn’t long ago that the New York Giants pulled off a blockbuster trade with the Carolina Panthers and handed Brian Burns a five-year, $141 million extension. Time moves fast in the NFL. When the ink dried, Burns became the second-highest-paid edge rusher behind Nick Bosa, who landed a $170 million deal from the San Francisco 49ers one year prior. At the time, the reaction was mixed. Some saw it as a smart long-term investment — locking down a top-tier pass rusher without breaking the bank. Others questioned whether Burns’ production really justified that kind of money. But now that the dust has settled, hindsight is doing the Giants a favor. Burns’ $28.2 million per year once raised eyebrows. Now it looks like a discount. After ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that T.J. Watt reset the market with a jaw-dropping three-year, $123 million deal ($41 million AAV) in Pittsburgh, Burns’ deal isn’t just digestible — it’s borderline team-friendly. Steelers’ T.J. Watt contract makes Brian Burns look like a bargain Burns may not have the same resume as Watt — few do. Watt has the most sacks out of anyone over the past five seasons (73.5). His 108 career sacks blow Burns’ 54.5 out of the water, but at least Burns still has youth on his side — Watt will turn 31 this upcoming season, while Burns turned 27 this past April. Watt’s talent is undeniable, but he has played with an objectively better defense than Burns has, both in Carolina and New York. But the tides could be turning quickly in the 27-year-old’s favor. Over the past two offseasons, it’s clear general manager Joe Schoen is going back to Big Blue’s Super Bowl roots by revamping and reinforcing the defensive line. Burns was already joined by Kayvon Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence in Year 1, but Year 2 offers much more support. Schoen signed free agent defensive end Chauncey Golston early in free agency before adding Abdul Carter and Darius Alexander via the draft. Carter was the class’ de facto best pass rusher, equipped with athleticism and bend few players in the league possess. Alexander offers run-stuffing abilities with pass-rushing potential, making New York’s defensive line one of the most feared units. 5 Commanders veterans who could lose their jobs in a hurry at training camp – Dean Jones, RiggosRag.com Expectations are higher this year in Washington. Michael Deiter – Commanders OL The Washington Commanders’ offensive line underwent some positive improvements this offseason. Laremy Tunsil and Josh Conerly Jr. lead the way as the new starting tackle tandem. The arrival of one more intriguing veteran could also shake things up on the interior for good measure. Nate Herbig missed the 2024 campaign through injury, which ended his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers as expected. The Commanders seemed satisfied enough by his medical assessments to take the plunge, and the versatile piece has his sights set on a key backup role when the 2025 campaign arrives. Deiter joined the Commanders last year in the same spot as Herbig is now. He was expected to be a dependable depth piece behind the starting five, but he never came close to providing the assured production needed. Getting a new one-year deal this offseason kept continuity, but it would be surprising if he made the squad when push came to shove. K.J. Osborn – Commanders WR Many were surprised when the Washington Commanders gave K.J. Osborn another one-year deal this offseason. The wide receiver didn’t get a legitimate opportunity to impress after coming into the organization late in 2024. This was no doubt disappointing, but those in power want to see what the veteran pass-catcher can do with a full offseason on the squad. Osborn has some decent previous production on the Minnesota Vikings. Things didn’t go nearly as well with the New England Patriots, but it was clear from a long way out that it wasn’t a good fit for either side. The Commanders brought him in as an insurance policy after Noah Brown’s injury, but chances were at a premium. Jeremy McNichols – Commanders RB The Commanders’ running back dynamic didn’t change much this offseason. But if Jacory Croskey-Merritt builds on his exceptional transition over Washington’s offseason program, it could shift quickly. Croskey-Merritt is a seventh-round pick with a potentially bright future. It was a rollercoaster journey to the NFL, but he’s eager to make up for some lost time. That should put everyone on edge when training camp commences. Washington will give everyone a chance to impress. Croskey-Merritt is the new arrival with big ambitions, but he might not unseat the projected starting tandem of Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler just yet. What is more attainable for the rookie is becoming the No. 3 option, which puts Jeremy McNichols’ status firmly under the spotlight. It Wasn’t T.J. Watt The Eagles Let Get Away, But Another Hall Of Famer – Ed Kracz, Sports Illustrated Philadelphia missed out on signing a pass rusher of their own. It feels like the Washington Commanders have everything they need to stretch the streak of no repeat NFC East champions to 21 years and maybe take that next to the Super Bowl after making a move the Eagles probably should have, which is to sign Von Miller. Forget T.J. Watt. That was never going to happen no matter what anyone says or writes. The Pittsburgh Steelers weren’t letting go of their future Hall of Fame pass rusher and arguably the best defensive player in the NFL. Not even the copious amounts of pixie dust Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has stockpiled would have been enough. Miller was the one the Eagles missed on. Think what you want about Miller being 36. He certainly isn’t the same player who has collected

Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images We’re counting down to the season opener (Day 47) with some Cowboys history We’re counting down the days until the Dallas Cowboys battle the Philadelphia Eagles in the season opener of the 2025 NFL season. To pass the time and mark the days, we’re running through 100 Days of Cowboys. So sit back and enjoy some Cowboys history while we countdown to football. Today – number 47. Charlie Waters Born: September 10, 1948. Miami, FloridaPosition: SafetyDallas Cowboys: 1970-1981Awards: Super Bowl champion- VI, XIIAll-Pro- 1977, 1978Pro Bowl– 1976, 1977, 1978 Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images Charlie Waters played safety for the Dallas Cowboys from 1970 to 1981, after being drafted in the third round out of Clemson. Originally starting his career at cornerback, Waters transitioned to safety, where he flourished alongside Cliff Harris to form one of the most feared and effective safety duos in NFL history. Known for his football IQ, toughness, and big-game performances, Waters played in five Super Bowls, winning two championships. He finished his career with 41 interceptions, ranking among the franchise’s all-time leaders with the third-most in team history. 45 Years Ago TodayJanuary 7, 1979° 1978 NFC CHAMPIONSHIP ° CBS Sports’ Pat Summerall and Tom Brookshier lead us into the game highlights Fueled by safety Charlie Waters’ big day (fumble recovery, ½ sack, two key second half interceptions), the #Cowboys force seven turnovers… pic.twitter.com/WlxAmOVkxp — Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) January 7, 2024 Best known for:Waters was best known for being a versatile, clutch defensive back and a key piece of the Cowboys’ “Doomsday Defense,” especially in critical playoff and Super Bowl moments. December 26, 1977#Bears #Cowboys#NFCDivisionalCharlie Waters has. 3 picksStaubach 8-3-134-1-1Dorsett 17-85-2 2-37Payton 19-60 3-3337-7 #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/sgLym3Smwq — Old Time Football (@Ol_TimeFootball) December 17, 2023 Lesser known fact:Waters holds the NFL postseason record for most career interceptions with nine. A mark that still stands today and yet to be beaten, highlighting his knack for showing up in the biggest moments when it mattered most. ✭ COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF ✭ With 100 days to go until the #Cowboys kickoff the season against the #Eagles, we are counting down with a @BloggingTheBoys Top-100 consensus ranking. We asked staffers to give in their top-100, here is: DAY 47Charlie Waters#DallasCowboys… pic.twitter.com/wtHeTH5Kar — Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) July 19, 2025

Bob Donnan-Imagn Images Which Cowboys players do you think have trade value? With training camp and preseason on the horizon, time is running out for the Dallas Cowboys to fill out their depth chart, both starters and backups, for the upcoming 2025 season. For the most part they probably already have a pretty good idea who will make the final 53-man roster, however, player acquisition is a nonstop, 365-day process. It won’t be long now until roster cuts are made, meaning there’ll be a lot of movement around the league attempting to fill holes and make upgrades by each and every NFL team. While attempting to claim players off the waiver wire is one way to go after roster cuts, exploring the trade market is another. The Cowboys haven’t been shy about acquiring talent via trade this offseason and it wouldn’t be at all surprising if they go that route once again after roster cuts. Instead of being just buyers though, they could actually be sellers. Today, we’re going to share with you a few players we think they could consider putting on the trade block. DE Sam Williams Despite missing all of 2024 with a season-ending knee injury, Sam Williams is a young, promising pass rusher with starting potential. He averaged four QB sacks in his first two years and given the premier position he plays there are likely several teams around the league who could be interested in trying to acquire him via trade. In Dallas, he’s probably nothing more than a depth piece who is entering the final year of his rookie contract. G Saahdiq Charles Dallas has an abundance of interior OL depth, but Saahdiq Charles is one of the few veterans with starting experience. For a team looking for a versatile veteran lineman with plug-and-play potential at either guard or tackle, Charles is an intriguing option that could possibly be had via trade. He could be invaluable depth piece/insurance if Tyler Booker struggles for the Cowboys or a valuable trade asset depending on how they view him. TE Luke Schoonmaker Luke Schoonmaker could be in the process of getting passed on the depth chart by Brevyn Spann-Ford, which could make him an intriguing trade target for someone else around the league considering his draft pedigree and the fact he has two years remaining on his rookie contract. While he is shown in flashes of starting potential in a limited role, it may not be enough for him to stick around in Dallas if the new coaching staff isn’t in his corner.

Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images There are a few Cowboys who really need to have an impressive training camp. The Dallas Cowboys will kick off their first training camp of the Brian Schottenheimer era next Tuesday, and there are plenty of questions surrounding this team right now. Some players, though, will arrive in Oxnard needing to prove themselves in different ways. These five have the most to prove right now. CB Kaiir Elam The Cowboys traded for former first-round pick Kaiir Elam earlier this offseason, and the former Bill is hoping a change of scenery is just what he needed. Elam was hardly bad in Buffalo, but his performance never quite justified his draft status. Now, Elam has a legitimate shot at locking up a starting job in Dallas given the injuries to Trevon Diggs and rookie Shavon Revel. However, Elam’s rookie deal expires after this year, and if he fails to produce in Dallas it could really hinder his market. Elam drew some praise during OTA’s, but he needs to carry that over to Oxnard, as this could very well be his last chance to earn a starting job in the league. RT Terence Steele This is setting up to be a big year for Terence Steele. While the right tackle is under contract through 2028, the Cowboys could cut him after this season and save nearly $9 million in cap space. Steele’s play the last few years has been mixed, often being praised for his run blocking but being much more inconsistent in pass protection. For example, Steele has led the team in pressures allowed in four of his five years in Dallas, with the lone outlier being the year Steele missed three games. Even still, Steele has flashed great potential, but he just hasn’t done it consistently. With a new offensive line coach, Steele needs to finally capitalize on that potential with his contract decision looming. RB Deuce Vaughn The Cowboys’ offseason actions sure seemed to indicate that the Deuce Vaughn experiment will soon be over. They signed two free agent running backs in Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams and then drafted two more in Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah. The Brian Schottenheimer Lore keeps growing Here’s Deuce Vaughn: @heykayadams | @C_Vaughn22 #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/b007a8JAu7 — Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) July 16, 2025 That, combined with the fact that Vaughn has been a healthy scratch in 20 games over the last two years, doesn’t bode well for the former Kansas State star. That said, Conor Riley is now coaching the offensive line, coming over from Kansas State and having coached there when Vaughn dominated for the Wildcats. The diminutive running back has long odds to make the roster, but his familiarity with both Riley and Schottenheimer could help him gain an edge starting next week in Oxnard. iDL Mazi Smith It got overlooked due to the way the team as a whole finished last year, but Mazi Smith had a bit of a breakout season down the stretch of 2024. He finished second among Dallas’ interior defenders in both pressures and run stops, both times behind Osa Odighizuwa. That said, former player and last year’s assistant defensive line coach Greg Ellis recently shared why he’s concerned about Smith in 2025: Should the Cowboys trade Mazi Smith? Former Cowboy Greg Ellis doesn’t think Dallas’ defensive scheme matches Mazi’s skillset. pic.twitter.com/16O9CyGxAK — DLLS Cowboys (@DLLS_Cowboys) July 15, 2025 Smith’s ascension last year was largely tied to Mike Zimmer’s use of more varied techniques along the defensive line, whereas Dan Quinn’s focus on gap penetration never really fit Smith. Matt Eberflus has a similar emphasis on penetration, thus making Ellis concerned that Smith’s progress from last year will be undone. TE Luke Schoonmaker For as much as Jake Ferguson needs to bounce back from an injury-plagued season as he enters the final year of his contract, Luke Schoonmaker needs a big training camp even more so. The former second-round pick has often been injured this time of year, something Schottenheimer alluded to at the start of the offseason, and it’s prevented him from ever showing why he was drafted in the first place. In OTA’s, Brevyn Spann-Ford got a lot of work with the first team offense, and his size seems to be an ideal fit for what Schottenheimer and Klayton Adams want to do on offense. John Stephens Jr. also looked like a roster lock a year ago before injuries ended his season, while undrafted rookie Tyler Neville has drawn lots of praise from the coaching staff. Schoonmaker may not be in jeopardy of being cut, but he needs to prove why he belongs on this roster sooner rather than later.

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images The latest news surrounding the Dallas Cowboys is here. The latest on Micah Parsons’ contract negotiations ahead of Cowboys training camp – Calvin Watkins, Dallas Morning News Things have gotten a little spicy between Parsons and the Cowboys. The Dallas Cowboys’ contract stalemate with Micah Parsons continues as the team prepares to leave for training camp in Oxnard, Calif., on Sunday. The Cowboys’ star pass rusher seeks a contract extension that would make him one of the highest-paid non-quarterbacks in the NFL. Parsons is expected to arrive in southern California and stay with some family members, but whether he reports to training camp by Monday’s deadline for players is uncertain. If Parsons doesn’t report on time, he’s subject to being fined $40,000 per day. Teams can reduce or waive these fines for players on their rookie contracts. Parsons could also report to training camp and attend practices without participating until he gets a new deal. Parsons and team owner Jerry Jones spoke this offseason about a new deal, two people with knowledge of the discussions told The Dallas Morning News. Parsons told Jones he needed to contact his agent, David Mulugheta, to help facilitate the deal. That has yet to take place, and it appears Parsons is frustrated with the lack of progress. “We obviously want to get it done early,” Parsons said in an interview with former WWE star The Undertaker on the Six-Feet Under with The Undertaker podcast. “We want that relief off our backs, but, obviously, ownership’s always going to make it drag out, make it more complicated than it has to be, lack of communication.” Jimmy Johnson gives his “No. 1 key” for Schotty & Cowboys in 2025 – Nick Eatman, DallasCowboys.com This is something that plagued the Cowboys last season. While he’s long been removed from the sidelines, and most recently hanging up the microphone as a studio analyst for Fox, Johnson is still excited about the 2025 season, especially for the Cowboys. Johnson will always have strong ties to Dallas, having coached there from 1989-93, winning two Super Bowls. He’s a member of the Ring of Honor and of course, the Pro Football Hall of Fame. And just recently, Johnson did an interview with the Cowboys media team for an upcoming documentary for the Deep Blue series. When asked about the current team, Johnson said there’s one thing that must happen for the Cowboys to have success under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer. The biggest thing for the Cowboys – it’s a big thing for any team – is to stay healthy. I think it’s probably more important for the Cowboys to stay healthy for a couple reasons,” Johnson explained. “No. 1, they’re top-heavy salary wise. And so their 53-man roster may not be quite as talented at the bottom the as some of these other teams.” Johnson, referring to the high-dollar contracts of Dak Prescott ($60 million per season) and CeeDee Lamb ($34 million), said it’s difficult to have depth from top to bottom when the majority of the salary cap is getting use for the top-line players. And currently, Micah Parsons is counting $25 million on the cap – a figure that would be decreased if he were to sign a long-term extension. But Johnson has another reason why staying healthy is so important for this year’s team. “The other thing is, they have a very difficult stretch there toward the end of the season,” Johnson said. “So if they’re not at full strength when they’re playing those top teams – the second half of at the end of the season, it’s going to be a problem. So staying healthy is the No. 1 key.” Five position battles to watch in Cowboys training camp: Who’s starting at strong safety? – Joseph Hoyt, Dallas Morning News The defensive side of the ball will have some intriguing competition in training camp. Cornerback Corner is perhaps the hardest position to predict heading into training camp. That’s because we aren’t exactly sure who will be healthy enough for the competition. The Cowboys are still awaiting the practice debut of rookie third-round pick Shavon Revel Jr. There’s a lot of excitement about a player that could’ve been a first-round pick if not for a torn ACL early last season. They’re also awaiting the return of Trevon Diggs from offseason surgery. The Cowboys haven’t given a timetable for his return yet. So far, the Cowboys have liked what they’ve seen from former first-round pick Kaiir Elam. He was a consistent starter during minicamp. He also impressed coaches with his consistency in both play — he broke up at least one pass per practice — and his effort. Schottenheimer pointed to his GPS numbers as proof of high effort. Can Elam hold down an outside corner spot? Where will DaRon Bland line up? Can Caelen Carson, or Kemon Hall, or Israel Mukuamu be enough to hold the Cowboys until Diggs returns? Strong safety It’s felt for a couple years now that Juanyeh Thomas, a former undrafted free agent, has knocked on the door of being a full-time starter. Is this the year he can break down the door? Thomas started during minicamp and OTAs at safety while Donovan Wilson recovered from offseason surgery. Wilson is expected to be ready to go for camp. Wilson is also in the final year of a three-year extension. The Cowboys could save $7 million in cap space this year if they cut him before the start of the year. In order for the Cowboys to even consider that, they’d have to feel good about what’s behind him. That goes beyond Thomas, as well. Dallas Cowboys sign 2nd-round pick Donovan Ezeiruaku after leaguewide standoff – Nick Harris, Star-Telegram There will be no draft pick holdouts for the Cowboys this year. After a leaguewide standoff that saw all but two second-round picks not sign their rookie contracts throughout the summer in hopes of securing more guaranteed money, the dominoes

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images We are so very close to football. The Las Vegas Raiders are no strangers to change, but the 2024 season pushed the franchise to a breaking point. After firing head coach Josh McDaniels midway through the 2023 campaign and turning to former linebacker Antonio Pierce as the interim leader, there was renewed optimism in Sin City. That optimism didn’t last long. Under Pierce, the Raiders stumbled to a disappointing 4-13 finish in 2024, prompting yet another coaching change. This time, Las Vegas opted for experience—decades of it. In a surprising move, the team hired 73-year-old Pete Carroll to take the reins, making him the oldest head coach in NFL history when he steps onto the sideline in Week 1. Carroll, who inked a three-year deal, will be 76 by the end of his contract. Despite his age, Carroll brings energy, competitiveness, and a proven track record of fostering player-friendly locker rooms. Known for his “win forever” mantra and success with the Seahawks, Carroll now inherits a Raiders team desperate for identity and stability. Along with Carroll comes quarterback Geno Smith, reuniting the two from their time in Seattle. Together, they aim to bring professionalism and a sharper edge to a team that lacked discipline and preparation last year. Las Vegas may no longer be a league doormat, as Carroll could quickly turn around the attitude in Las Vegas. While big names like Maxx Crosby dominate headlines for the Silver and Black, a few under-the-radar players could make a major difference, particularly in their matchup with Dallas. Tre Tucker The Raiders also made a significant addition to their coaching staff, hiring offensive innovator Chip Kelly as their new offensive coordinator. Kelly, fresh off orchestrating Ohio State’s offense to a national championship, is expected to implement his signature uptempo offense built on pace and explosiveness. One player who stands to benefit immensely is Tre Tucker. Tucker, a third-year receiver, is suited for Kelly’s system. At 5’9” and clocking a blazing 4.37 in the 40-yard dash, Tucker thrives out of the slot, where his quickness and low center of gravity make him nearly impossible to jam at the line of scrimmage. As a rookie, he averaged 17.4 yards per reception with an average depth of target of 18.5 yards, showcasing his big-play potential. Tre Tuckers best plays in the Silver & Black ️ How many yards is he finishing with this year? ☠️ ‍☠️ pic.twitter.com/H9P3rrEHGf — ShifftttyyyQB1 ‍☠️ (@raiders1022) June 10, 2025 However, last season’s quarterback instability led to a more conservative role, limiting his opportunities downfield. With Geno Smith now under center and Kelly calling the plays, expect Tucker to reclaim his vertical role. Malik Hooker and Dallas’ safeties will need to be ready to defend the deep third as Tucker stretches the field. Malcolm Koonce While Maxx Crosby rightly draws attention as one of the league’s best pass rushers, don’t overlook Malcolm Koonce, who has quietly developed into a legitimate threat on the opposite edge. A third-round pick in 2021, Koonce broke out in 2023 with eight sacks and 23 quarterback pressures despite playing only 44% of the defensive snaps. Unfortunately his rise was interrupted by an ACL tear; however, the Raiders showed faith in him, signing him to a one-year, $12 million deal for 2025. Malcolm Koonce beats the chip block and wins around the edge with a cross-chop to set up the big-man TD by Jenkins!#RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/2UAO4a9qca — Matt Holder (@MHolder95) December 18, 2023 Now fully recovered and in peak shape, Koonce returns to a Patrick Graham defense that needs him. With long arms, a relentless motor, and the ability to dip and flatten around the edge, he fits the Pete Carroll mold of edge defenders—reminiscent of players like Bruce Irvin or Benson Mayowa from Carroll’s past teams. Isaiah Pola-Mao Another name to watch is rising safety Isaiah Pola-Mao, who could be the Raiders’ next breakout star. A USC alum and nephew of Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu, Pola-Mao took a winding path to NFL relevance. Undrafted in 2023 and buried on the depth chart, he finally got his shot in 2024 after a Marcus Epps injury and made the most of it. Pola-Mao recorded 89 tackles, five pass breakups, and two forced fumbles in his first year as a starter, displaying versatility and instinct. At 6’4” and just 205 lbs, he’s rangy and explosive, although still developing in coverage. Much like his uncle, Pola-Mao’s biggest asset is unpredictability—he lines up all over the field and attacks from multiple angles. Carroll, who also coached Polamalu at USC, will know exactly how to maximize Pola-Mao’s Swiss Army knife skill set. When the Raiders face the Cowboys this season, don’t be shocked if some of these underrated names are the ones making headlines.