Dallas Cowboys Players And Staff Arrive In Oxnard, California Today To Officially Kick Off 2025-26 Training Camp Season

The long wait is finally over for Dallas Cowboys fans.

After an offseason of questions, personnel changes, and speculation about the team’s Super Bowl window, the Cowboys are officially back in business. Players, coaches, and team personnel are set to arrive today in Oxnard, California, for the start of the 2025-26 NFL training camp.

The arrival marks the first official step in what the organization hopes will be a championship-caliber season. For the Cowboys, this year’s training camp is not just routine; it’s a reset, a proving ground, and, in some ways, a litmus test for what the franchise’s immediate future holds.

The atmosphere in Oxnard is expected to be a mix of business and buzz. Fans are already arriving in town in anticipation of open practices, and local vendors are stocking up for the annual summer invasion by America’s Team. But while the public celebration is just beginning, for head coach Mike McCarthy and his staff, the work began weeks ago in planning, evaluation, and setting a tone for a season that must produce.

Quarterback Dak Prescott enters this training camp with more scrutiny than ever. In the final year of his deal and yet to reach an extension agreement with the front office, his future with the team beyond 2025 is uncertain. Prescott has said all the right things about focusing on football, but the speculation will follow him every time he steps on the field. After a disappointing playoff exit in the Divisional Round against Detroit last season, all eyes will be on the 31-year-old to lead with poise and deliver with precision.

Prescott won’t be alone under the microscope. Running back Ezekiel Elliott, who made his return to Dallas this offseason after a one-year stint in New England, will be one of the most-watched veterans in camp. While he may not be the feature back he once was, Elliott’s leadership, pass-blocking ability, and short-yardage effectiveness could make him a valuable rotational piece in the backfield. But he’ll have to earn it, especially with young backs like Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn hungry to prove themselves.

The offensive line—a longtime staple of Dallas’s identity—is also in flux. With the retirement of Tyron Smith and the departure of center Tyler Biadasz in free agency, the Cowboys are relying heavily on youth and internal development. Tyler Smith will anchor the left side, but attention will focus on how quickly rookie Cooper Beebe out of Kansas State adjusts to the speed and complexity of the NFL. Terrence Steele’s return to form after injury will also be vital if this unit is to regain its dominance.

One of the brighter spots entering camp is the wide receiver room. CeeDee Lamb is coming off a career-best season and has emerged as one of the NFL’s elite wideouts. With Brandin Cooks returning as a reliable deep threat and Jalen Tolbert showing signs of progress, the Cowboys are optimistic about their passing game. Rookie Ryan Flournoy, the sixth-rounder out of Southeast Missouri State, will also be one to watch—his blend of speed and toughness could push him into the conversation for meaningful reps if he impresses early.

On defense, Dan Quinn may be gone—now the head coach of the Washington Commanders—but the identity he built remains. New defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer takes over a unit that’s been among the NFL’s best in takeaways and pressure over the past two seasons. Zimmer, known for his tough-love approach and schematical intelligence, is tasked with maintaining Dallas’s defensive edge while also addressing key concerns, particularly against the run.

Micah Parsons enters this camp as the face of the defense and arguably the face of the franchise. Coming off another All-Pro season, Parsons will once again be deployed in multiple roles—rushing off the edge, dropping into coverage, and even lining up inside on passing downs. His ability to disrupt opposing offenses is the Cowboys’ greatest single asset, and Zimmer will likely build schemes around maximizing his impact.

There’s also a renewed emphasis on the secondary. Cornerback Trevon Diggs is recovering from a torn ACL that ended his season prematurely in 2024, and his status will be monitored closely throughout camp. DaRon Bland, who led the NFL in interceptions last season, proved he can step up in Diggs’ absence, but getting both healthy and on the field together could turn Dallas’s secondary into one of the league’s most dangerous.

Safety remains a deep position for Dallas, with veterans Malik Hooker, Jayron Kearse, and Donovan Wilson returning. Still, don’t be surprised if second-year safety Juanyeh Thomas makes waves in Oxnard. His special teams ability already makes him a roster lock, but his instincts and versatility have coaches excited about a potential expanded role on defense.

The linebacker room could be the most intriguing position battle of camp. Leighton Vander Esch has medically retired, and Damone Clark is now expected to step up as the green-dot communicator. However, rookie Marist Liufau from Notre Dame will be a name to watch. He’s fast, physical, and fits the mold of the modern sideline-to-sideline linebacker. Training camp will be his chance to carve out a niche—or possibly even win a starting job.

Special teams, under coordinator John Fassel, are expected to remain strong. Kicker Brandon Aubrey returns after an incredible rookie campaign, going 36-for-38 on field goal attempts. His consistency was a revelation in a position that has long plagued the Cowboys. The punting job, however, is up for grabs with multiple names competing to replace Bryan Anger, who was released this offseason to free up cap space.

Beyond the position battles and personnel questions, perhaps the biggest storyline is how the Cowboys respond to pressure. Owner Jerry Jones has made it clear—this team must take a step forward. Another early playoff exit will not be tolerated, and with McCarthy entering the final year of his contract, there’s little room for error.

The coaching staff includes several new faces, including Zimmer, offensive line coach Scott Peters, and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown. The mix of youth and experience on the sideline could be just what Dallas needs to reenergize a team that has, in recent years, fallen short of lofty expectations.

For fans making the annual pilgrimage to Oxnard, this camp promises plenty of excitement. Practices will be open to the public on select dates, and autograph sessions, fan fest events, and exclusive merchandise drops are planned throughout the next few weeks.

Training camp isn’t just a checkpoint on the NFL calendar—it’s where chemistry forms, rookies rise, and championship aspirations begin to take shape. For the 2025-26 Dallas Cowboys, it starts today. In the sunshine of Southern California, beneath the familiar backdrop of the Oxnard fields, the work begins.

And the message is clear: No more waiting. No more excuses. It’s time to chase greatness.