RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesOXNARD, CA — Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb's contract situations hung over the Dallas Cowboys two years ago. Micah Parsons’ contract stalemate was a distraction last year. This year, it’s been an uncharacteristically quiet offseason for the Cowboys.
At least, that’s the public perception.
“I like the idea that the word is that we have had a quiet offseason relative to dare I say off the field noise or chatter, whatever you want to call it. I like that,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Tuesday, July 28 at the team’s opening training camp press conference. “I personally like the fact that the perception is that it's been a quite non-confrontational offseason. That's good.”
A non-confrontational offseason? Yes.
Quiet? Maybe.
But that shouldn’t be confused with inactivity.
The Cowboys used plenty of resources in an attempt to strengthen the NFL’s worst scoring defense. Dallas hired first-time defensive coordinator Christian Parker, signed free agents such as safety Jalen Thompson and cornerback Cobie Durant, acquired linebacker Dee Winters and edge rusher Rashan Gary via trades and drafted rookies they expect to make immediate impacts in safety Caleb Downs and edge rusher Malachi Lawrence in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft .
So maybe quiet isn’t the right term to describe the Cowboys this offseason.
“The personnel moves that we made, and bringing in Rashan Gary and Dee Winters and Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence. All those moves that we made, it was not a quiet offseason for us. It was a great offseason for us,” Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said. “One that we worked extremely hard on.”
Schottenheimer later called the Cowboys offseason "awesome."
Dallas returns almost every starter from the NFL's No. 2 offense in 2025. The moves the Cowboys made, particularly on defense, this offseason were a spirited effort to improve what was one of the worst defenses in franchise history.
No matter which terms the Cowboys use to characterize their offseason, Prescott seems to be on board. The Cowboys starting quarterback showed up to training camp sporting a Super Bowl 30 t-shirt . A not-so-subtle nod to the Cowboys’ last Super Bowl victory 30 years ago (Jan. 28, 1996).
“I like the idea that thinking that positive about what we're going to work for. We've got a long way to go,” Jones said of Prescott’s Super Bowl 30 t-shirt. “That's good to me to be positive, especially coming from him. He's a big part. He's got a first-hand feel. I like him to be thinking that success level.”
In typical Jones fashion, he later used a unique analogy to portray the state of the Cowboys as they kick off training camp.
“We're going to burn some of these wagons on the way to California for firewood. We're going to lose some folks. We're going to have some barn, but the wagon train is going to get there,” Jones said. “Bottom line is, I love the excitement.”
Jones, Schottenheimer and Prescott are feeling optimistic about the Cowboys. Nobody knows where the wagon train is going to wind up. But the drama-free offseason is a sign the Cowboys are at least attempting to handle their business on the field rather than create headlines off it.
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon .
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Quiet offseason is a good change for Dallas Cowboys
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