Unlike last year, when the Dallas Cowboys spent much of March strengthening their team by trading for Stephon Gilmore and Brandin Cooks and re-signing key players, they lost five starters and signed free agents. Only one person did.
Jerry Jones has done a complete 180 a year ago and is truly “all in.”
With the NFL Draft just around the corner, the league announced the offseason training schedule for the Cowboys and other teams this week. These dates include the start of his offseason program, OTAs, and mandatory minicamp.
Dallas Cowboys official offseason training schedule:
First day: April 15th
OTA Offseason Workouts: May 21-23, May 29-31
Mandatory Minicamp: June 4-6.#DallasCowboys— Clarence Hill Jr. (@clarencehilljr) March 29, 2024
first day: April 15th.
OTA Offseason Workouts: May 21st-23rd, May 29th, May 30th, May 31st.
Essential minicamp: From June 4th to 6th.
Now that these dates have been officially announced, I'm sure everyone knows what they mean, but here's my early preview.
first day
This is a no-brainer for anyone who needs to explain what the first day means.
On April 15th, teams with returning head coaches, like the Cowboys, could begin training programs.
With a new head coach, the franchise can begin its offseason program on April 10th.
April 19th: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets.
April 24th: Deadline for teams to veto restricted free agents who sign offer sheets elsewhere.
OTA Offseason Training
Cowboys OTAs (organized team activities) are scheduled to be held May 21-23, May 29, May 30 and 31.
OTAs are 10-day offseason programs designed to help players improve through in-person meetings and classroom instruction. These are aimed at younger players and rookies, but some veterans will also participate.
Once the draft is over, we'll know what group of players will be available.
Veterans like Dak Prescott and maybe CeeDee Lamb will come along, but if I were them, I wouldn't do that. Until this team gets good, and by the sounds of things, Jerry is content to do nothing to get good again.
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy spoke about Dallas not signing any free agents. @AdamSchefter 👀 pic.twitter.com/vfqwrJ8HGq
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) March 25, 2024
Essential mini camp
The Cowboys will hold a mandatory minicamp from June 4-6, which will be their last organized practice before training camp in late July.
Mandatory minicamp allows most players to get serious about preparing for the upcoming season.
At times, we've seen players skip these, but unlike previous workouts, coaches are able to work with players on the field. I can't think of any Cowboys player who would skip this, but if the absence is not allowed, he will be fined.
For most teams, including the Cowboys, media has limited access to minicamp sessions, unlike OTA workouts.
Minicamp is a short three-day training session. Both OTAs and minicamp have no live contact during on-field workouts.
- Phase 1 consists of meetings, strength and conditioning, and physical rehabilitation only.
- Phase 2 consists of the following three week program: On-site workouts may include individual or group instruction and training.
- Phase 3 allows teams to conduct 10 days of organized team practice activities without actual contact.
it's hard to get excited
It was fun and easy to get excited about this time a year ago after the team traded Cooks and Gilmore.
The energy of this season is gone. This team is getting even worse and claims they are doing everything they can to prepare for the 2024 season, but that is simply not true.
We'll see who this team picks in the first few rounds of this season, but other than that there's nothing to cheer about this offseason.
Considering the players being signed this offseason, this team could very well make more moves than just signing Eric Kendricks.
Cowboys fans, I have a feeling 2024 is going to be a long year.
