Dallas Cowboys wrap up their June 2025 minicamp with Micah Parsons present. See how new coach Brian Schottenheimer is changing the culture for the 2024 season.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The Dallas Cowboys closed the book on their mandatory minicamp Thursday, and the biggest story wasn't a spectacular catch or a defensive drill—it was simply attendance. With the entire roster, including a non-participating Trevon Diggs and a very-much-participating Micah Parsons, present at The Star, a collective sigh of relief swept through Cowboys Nation. Under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer, the vibe feels different, and with the offseason program complete, the team heads into the summer break with cautious optimism and a clear set of priorities.
The biggest win of minicamp wasn't a play on the field, but Micah Parsons walking through the door, putting team first while his agent handles the business.
You can feel it through the reports and player interviews: this isn't the same old Cowboys camp. New head coach Brian Schottenheimer has been widely praised for injecting a fresh energy and fostering a sense of unity that players have responded to. After years of a more rigid atmosphere, Schottenheimer's approach during OTAs and this week's minicamp has been credited with building a stronger, more cohesive locker room. This culture reset was a crucial first step as the organization turns the page, setting a positive and collaborative tone for the battles ahead in the 2025 season.
While the team-building exercises were important, the presence of Micah Parsons loomed largest. By attending the mandatory sessions, Parsons avoided hefty fines and, more importantly, quieted whispers of a potential holdout. However, the clock is ticking. With negotiations between his agent and the front office ongoing, the pressure is on to get a deal done before the team plane leaves for training camp in Oxnard. The organization knows all too well how contract disputes with stars like Ezekiel Elliott and Zack Martin can become major distractions, and they'll want to avoid a similar cloud hanging over their best player.
The secondary received a mix of good news and patient waiting. Cornerback Trevon Diggs was in the building and active with trainers, a great sign for his recovery from major knee surgery. While team officials say 'all signs are positive,' the reality is he's expected to begin training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. If he remains there into the season, he'd miss at least the first four games. To bolster the unit, All-Pro DaRon Bland is fully healthy after his 2024 foot surgery, and the team made a savvy move by acquiring former first-round pick Kaiir Elam from Buffalo to fill the void left by Jourdan Lewis's departure.
And just like that, the offseason program is in the books. The Cowboys now break for a six-week summer vacation before reconvening in Oxnard for training camp. All eyes will remain on the front office to see if they can lock up Micah Parsons long-term, and on the training staff as they guide Trevon Diggs through the final, crucial stages of his recovery. The foundation has been laid, the energy is high, but the real tests are yet to come.
