Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer watches as Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford takes a snap during a joint training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, in Woodland Hills, Calif.
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WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. — The demise of last year’s Dallas Cowboys defense was foretold at the team’s joint practice in Oxnard against the Los Angeles Rams. Any optimism about Matt Eberflus’ defense was suddenly cast with skepticism by the recurring sight of Rams running wild.
As Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown recalled, the Rams “damn near had a field day” last year against the Cowboys’ defense.
If last year’s joint practice was a signal for a historically bad defense, then let this year’s joint practice be a signal the Cowboys’ defense might actually turn things around this year.
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Related: Dallas’ defense has big day in joint practice vs. Rams
Christian Parker and the Cowboys’ defense successfully passed their first test against an opposing team at the Rams’ practice facility Tuesday. The starting defense limited the Rams and quarterback Matthew Stafford, the reigning MVP of the league, to a few big plays. The Cowboys had some wins, too, highlighted by three interceptions from second-year linebacker Justin Barron. He intercepted Stafford once while he and fellow backup linebacker Shemar James worked with the first-team defense, and he intercepted Stetson Bennett twice.
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Justin Barron (45) returns an interception as defensive back Josh Butler (31) celebrates during a joint training camp practice with the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, in Woodland Hills, Calif.
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Barron was far from the only standout. Second-year corner Shavon Revel nearly had an interception in the endzone on a fade pass inside the 10-yard line that was targeted for receiver Davante Adams. He also showed some physicality when he popped a Rams running back so hard that the running back flew and coughed up the ball.
Overshown set the tone early when he essentially forced a punt with back-to-back stops, sparking a big reaction from the sideline and head coach Brian Schottenheimer, who spent half of his time during Tuesday’s practice simply watching Parker’s defense against one of the league’s best units.
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After practice, Overshown almost cautioned against making any grand conclusions about what Tuesday could mean for this defense moving forward. He made sure to mention multiple times that it was good work against a really good offense. He said they were excited to look at the film and see where they could improve.
Overshown was, however, one of the few remaining witnesses to last year’s joint-practice debacle left on this defense. That means he couldn’t help but point to the obvious.
“I know it’s a complete difference from when they came to Oxnard last year,” Overshown said.
And it should be. The Cowboys almost completely overhauled their defensive personnel this offseason. They overhauled their entire defensive staff outside of assistant linebackers coach J.J. Clark. They poured resources into the group, starting with signing safety Jalen Thompson to a three-year deal and using their first three draft picks on defensive players, including 11th overall pick Caleb Downs.
How confident are you in the Cowboys’ revamped defense?
The Cowboys almost completely overhauled their defensive personnel this offseason. Christian Parker and the new-look defense successfully passed their first test in a joint practice with the Rams.
The newcomers flashed against the Rams’ starting offense, too. Free agent corner pickup Cobie Durant had a pass breakup in coverage against Adams. Linebacker Dee Winters, acquired in a trade from the 49ers during the draft, had a tackle for loss where he wrapped and threw Rams running back Blake Corum to the ground. Downs tagged down Rams running back Kyren Williams early in team drills for what would’ve been a tackle for loss.
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“You can look at us on paper and see we’re a completely different defense,” Schottenheimer said. “Having practiced against us every day, the mentality and the mindset of the defense is different, so I think that’s great.”
It’s looked for a while that this defense could be different. In minicamp, wide receiver Ryan Flournoy noted how difficult it was to compete against the defense compared to the ease of last season. Quarterbacks coach Steve Shimko said the defense has given them nightmares.
There was still a question, however, about how the defense — under a 34-year-old first-time coordinator — could do against an opposing team. Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, busy on his own during Tuesday’s split practice, didn’t have to see to believe his defense was playing well. He could hear it.
Dallas Cowboys defensive back Shavon Revel (28) breaks up a pass intended for Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams (17) during a joint training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, in Woodland Hills, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) laughs with Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) before a joint training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, in Woodland Hills, Calif.
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Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay (right) laughs with Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer before a joint training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, in Woodland Hills, Calif.
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Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay (left) hugs Dallas Cowboys chief sales marketing officer Jerry Jones Jr. alongside chief operating officer Stephen Jones (left) and owner Jerry Jones (right) before a joint training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, in Woodland Hills, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) shakes hands with Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) before a joint training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, in Woodland Hills, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott stretches before a joint training camp practice with the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, in Woodland Hills, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Shemar James stretches before a joint training camp practice with the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, in Woodland Hills, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys running back Hunter Luepke pushes a blocking sled during a joint training camp practice with the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, in Woodland Hills, Calif.
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Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay (right) laughs with Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer before a joint training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, in Woodland Hills, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (87) tussles with Los Angeles Rams linebacker Omar Speights (48) during a joint training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, in Woodland Hills, Calif.
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Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Myles Garrett slaps hands with a teammate during a joint training camp practice with the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, in Woodland Hills, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb (88) hauls in a pass as Los Angeles Rams defensive back Trent McDurrrie (22) defends during a joint training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, in Woodland Hills, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys special teams coordinator Nick Sorensen calls a play during a joint training camp practice with the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, in Woodland Hills, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys defensive back Julius Wood (32) celebrates as Los Angeles Rams wide receiver CJ Daniels (6) is knocked out of bounds during a joint training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, in Woodland Hills, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Justin Barron (45) intercepts a pass intended for Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Brennan Presley (81) during a joint training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, in Woodland Hills, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Justin Barron (45) celebrates after intercepting a pass with linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (0) during a joint training camp practice with the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, in Woodland Hills, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Quinnen Williams lines up for a snap during a joint training camp practice with the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, in Woodland Hills, Calif.
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Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws a pass during a joint training camp practice with the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, in Woodland Hills, Calif.
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Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams (17) can’t make a catch as Dallas Cowboys defensive back Daron Bland (26) defends during a joint training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, in Woodland Hills, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys defensive back Shavon Revel (28) breaks up a pass intended for Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams (17) during a joint training camp practice on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, in Woodland Hills, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys defensive back Reddy Steward (27) celebrates after breaking up a pass during a joint training camp practice with the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, in Woodland Hills, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott waits to talk with reporters following a joint training camp practice with the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, in Woodland Hills, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott talks with reporters following a joint training camp practice with the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, in Woodland Hills, Calif.
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“I heard the cheers and the hollering and could tell those were our guys,” Prescott said. “Obviously they’ve been doing it to us throughout camp and getting after us, so it’s cool to see that energy and that identity continue. I know they’re pumped about it, but they’re not satisfied with what they’ve done. They’re going to go back, same as we are, and look at it, be hard on ourselves and see where we can get better.”
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The Rams’ offense had their moments Tuesday. Stafford found Adams for a touchdown against tight coverage from DaRon Bland. Revel allowed a couple of completions. The Rams’ running attack found some lanes against the Cowboys’ defensive line.
“I thought it was a battle,” Schottenheimer said of the defense against the Rams’ offense. “They had their plays. It’s what a joint practice should look like.”
Which is a whole lot different than last year’s joint practice.
“We all know they were running base calls and we were running base calls, but to see our bread and butter working out to how we envisioned it and working versus other teams, that feels good,” Overshown said. “So it’s going to be great to build off that confidence.”