The Dallas Cowboys open 2025 training camp under new coach Brian Schottenheimer. See how Dak Prescott adapts and who wins key roster battles in Oxnard.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The California sun greeted the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday as they arrived in Oxnard, officially kicking off their 2025 training camp and a new chapter for the franchise. For the first time since 2020, a new head coach, Brian Schottenheimer, is at the helm, tasked with exorcising the demons of last season's disappointing finish and molding this roster into a true contender. The air is thick with anticipation as established stars and hungry rookies alike prepare to battle for their spot on the team.
The Cowboys are evaluating pass rusher James Houston, a potential 'diamond in the rough' who exploded for 8 sacks in just 7 games as a rookie in 2022.
A new coaching regime brings a wave of change, and nowhere will that be more evident than on offense. While Dak Prescott remains the established QB1, he'll be adapting to a new system under Schottenheimer. The primary focus of camp will be the intense position battles across the roster. Fans, who can get their first glimpse at an open practice on July 22, will be keenly watching the competitions for the starting running back job and key roles in the defensive backfield.
The trenches will be the main stage for camp's most compelling drama. The offensive line is in flux, with a host of names including rookies Cooper Beebe and Tyler Guyton vying for starting roles alongside veterans Tyler Smith, Terence Steele, and Tyler Booker. How this group gels will be paramount to the offense's success. On the other side of the ball, the team is actively seeking to improve its pass rush, a clear priority for the new staff.
The team received mixed news on the injury front. Kicker Brandon Aubrey is cleared to go after minor offseason surgery, and safety Markquese Bell is expected to compete for a significant role after recovering from a shoulder injury. However, TE John Stephens Jr. is still working back from a second ACL tear and could miss the start of the season. In a more positive development, DE Sam Williams, who missed all of 2024, is expected to participate in camp and could provide a much-needed boost.
The front office isn't waiting around. The Cowboys are already working out a trio of pass rushers, including the intriguing James Houston, Jesse Luketa, and Kameron Cline, signaling their intent to add depth. Meanwhile, rumors are swirling around Dallas's potential interest in big-name free agents. Veteran safety Justin Simmons and quarterback Joe Milton have both been linked to the team, suggesting that Jerry Jones might still have a significant move or two up his sleeve before the season begins.
The arrival in Oxnard marks the official start of the Cowboys' 2025 journey. The coming weeks will be filled with intense competition, crucial evaluations, and roster-shaping decisions. With the first open practice on July 22, fans will soon get their first look at Schottenheimer's squad. All eyes are on how these position battles unfold and whether the front office makes another move before the season opener against the Eagles on September 4. A new era has begun, and the hope is that it ends differently than the last.
