Dallas Cowboys running back Phil Mafah fumbles the ball as he is hit by defensive back Shavon Revel (28) before having the ball recovered by defensive back Caleb Downs (13) during a training camp practice on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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OXNARD, Calif. — The Cowboys finished last year as the fifth-ranked scoring offense in the NFL. Their aspirations for this year are higher, as their new mantra — a simple acronym — might suggest.
Greatest Offense There Is.
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The mantra, started by quarterback Dak Prescott, is a little misleading, however. The Cowboys know they still have work to do if they want to get to that level. The first practice of training camp indicated that.
The Cowboys’ starting offense had mixed results against first-year defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s defense. Prescott finished unofficially by completing 11-of-15 passes during the non-padded, helmeted practice. His first pass was an incompletion on a drop to wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Later, Prescott missed Lamb wide open down the sideline.
There were some positives, however. The highlight for the starters might’ve been a touchdown run from second-year running back Jaydon Blue, who showcased the speed and unique ability the Cowboys have praised since the start of the offseason.
It may not be GOTI yet, but it was a step in the right direction for the Cowboys’ offense.
“We’re trying to rewrite the whole script,” offensive tackle Tyler Guyton said, “and we’re trying to find that now, but I’d definitely say we’re off to a good start.”
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Ultimately, the Cowboys hope to build an offense that’s worth the GOTI label. In Guyton’s words, that would mean being fast, physical, and “imposing” their will on opposing defenders.
“That’s the standard for it,” Guyton said.
Here’s what else we learned from the first day of training camp practices.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott gives a thumbs up to fans who had a sign wishing him happy birthday as he signed autographs following a training camp practice on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys fans wait for the gates to open on the first practice of training camp on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys fans wait for the gates to open on the first practice of training camp on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys fans head through the gates as they open for the first practice of training camp on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys defensive back Daron Bland slaps hands with Cowboys mascot Rowdy as he takes the field for the first practice of training camp on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott takes the field for the first practice of training camp on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) high fives teammates including running back Javonte Williams (33) and quarterback Sam Howell (16) during a training camp practice on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown dances between drills during a training camp practice on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer laughs with defensive back Malik Hooker as the team stretches during a training camp practice on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer hugs tight end Jake Ferguson (87) during a training camp practice on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Kenny Clark (97) runs a drill with teammates during a training camp practice on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott stretches with teammates during a training camp practice on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) talks with wide receiver Kavontae Turpin during a training camp practice on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb catches a pass during a training camp practice on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb’s cleats are seen during a training camp practice on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb catches a ball during a training camp practice on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams runs a drill during a training camp practice on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones (left) and chief operating officer Stephen Jones watch from a tower during a training camp practice on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb (left) works against defensive back Daron Bland during a training camp practice on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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A fan has a card for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb tucked atop his helmet as he watches during a training camp practice on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) scrambles away from defensive linemen Jonathan Bullard (98) and Kenny Clark (97) during a training camp practice on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens runs for the end zone after a catch during a training camp practice on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens falls backwards into the end zone during a training camp practice on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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A pass goes just out of reach for wide receiver Ceedee Lamb during a training camp practice on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys defensive back P.J. Locke (1) is helped off the field during a training camp practice on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams (33) is knocked off his feet by linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (0) during a training camp practice on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Joe Milton III (10) runs with quarterback Sam Howell (16), wide receiver Anthony Smith (83) and quarterback Dak Prescott (4) during a training camp practice on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker calls in a play using a radio as defensive back Zion Childress (48) heads to the sidelines during a training camp practice on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott signs autographs following a training camp practice on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer signs autographs following a training camp practice on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey signs autographs following a training camp practice on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Kavontae Turpin signs autographs following a training camp practice on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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On the move
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer was asked before Wednesday’s practice about the workload for rookie defensive back Caleb Downs and whether there was any concern about overloading their first-round pick. Schottenheimer didn’t seem too concerned.
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“I don’t think we can put anything on Caleb Downs that is above what he expects for himself,” Schottenheimer later said. “He’s a young player, he’s a rookie. He’s going to make mistakes. But like I said in the spring, and I’ll say it again: Caleb’s not going to — he doesn’t repeat mistakes. And that is a sign of a young man that understands X’s and O’s in football and he’s wired the right way.”
It didn’t take long for Downs to showcase it.
The Cowboys did some shuffling in the secondary during a Wednesday practice that was filled with team drills, but Downs was a constant. He lined up mostly in the slot as a nickel corner, which is expected to be his primary starting position. Downs wasn’t isolated to that role, however. He was on the move often. During a three-play stretch, he lined up on the edge, inside the box, and played the deep middle third as a free safety.
The Cowboys hoped Downs could be a versatile chess piece. On the first day of training camp, Downs proved to be exactly that.
“It was real impressive,” said fellow safety Jalen Thompson. “When he can do multiple things like that, it makes our job easier on the back end. Having a guy like that and just move around and be versatile, that’s always good for our defense.”
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Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Terence Steele (left) works against defensive lineman Rashan Gary during a training camp practice on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Newcomers galore
The Cowboys did nearly a complete overhaul from last year’s opening day defense. That meant there were a lot of new faces in starting roles. On the edge, newcomer Rashan Gary and second-year pass rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku had the most reps with the starting defense, though rookie first-round pick Malachi Lawrence also sprinkled in work with the starters.
Starting linebacker DeMarvion Overshown appeared to be the primary green dot communicator with the starters, while Curtis Robinson performed those duties with the backups. Schottenheimer said they would try four or five players at the role, though he didn’t elect to name names as of Wednesday morning. Dee Winters, acquired by trade from the 49ers this offseason, was the other starting linebacker.
Former All-Pro DaRon Bland and former Rams corner Cobie Durant were the starting outside corners, while Thompson and veteran Malik Hooker started at safety. The aforementioned Downs started and played all over.
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Corners Caelen Carson and Shavon Revel also rotated in with the starting defense at corner.
Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Quinnen Williams (92) talks with linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, defensive lineman Rashan Gary (7) and linebacker Dee Winters (53) during a training camp practice on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Leading the way
Schottenheimer announced the team’s leadership council for this season.
– DT Quinnen Williams
– DT Kenny Clark
– OLB Rashan Gary
– S Jalen Thompson
– RB Javonte Williams
– QB Dak Prescott
– RG Tyler Booker
– WR CeeDee Lamb
– TE Jake Ferguson
– P Bryan Anger
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Booker, the second-year offensive lineman out of Alabama, was a notable selection. He wasn’t a surprising pick, however.
“We knew what we were getting with Tyler Booker when we drafted him,” Schottenheimer said. “We knew that he was an elite person, elite human being. He was all about our five core values of putting the team first and working hard and competing. And he loves football and he’s about the brotherhood.
“He was one of the few no-brainers.”
Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Tyler Guyton signs autographs before the first practice of training camp on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Notable
— Backup quarterback Joe Milton III took a great first step in the backup quarterback job. He unofficially completed all seven of his passes and might’ve had the best throw of the day. He completed a deep crossing path to Jonathan Mingo while rolling to his left and throwing across his body.
— Speaking of Mingo: there’s a lot of pressure on the former second-round pick to earn his place on the Cowboys roster. He only has six catches for 71 yards since the Cowboys acquired him at the 2024 trade deadline for a fourth-round pick. He got off to a good start, as well. He had a couple plays where he got open.
— There’s a lot of optimism around the Cowboys about how good Brevyn Spann-Ford could be if he becomes more of a pass-catching threat. He looked the part on Wednesday, catching multiple passes.
—Rashan Gary had the defensive play of the day when he landed a perfect punch and forced a fumble on second-year running back Phil Mafah. Downs recovered.
—Guyton had all the first-team reps at left tackle. The Cowboys have said it’s a competition there, but he appears to get the first crack at it.