Brian Schottenheimer is looking to put his own stamp on his first year as Cowboys head coach, but he certainly understands what those who have worn the star previously can add to the mix this offseason. To lead off this news recap, we’ll dive into what he’s hoping past Cowboys like Randy White, Joe Looney, Bob Lilly, and Tony Casillas can bring to the 2025 team. Then we’ll focus on defense: we’re looking at the considerable depth at edge rusher, the new strategy on the interior of the line, two names to watch to help the current cornerback shortage, and whether the Cowboys might be eyeing a 2026 prospect to either replace or complement Micah Parsons.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are getting lots of looks this summer; we’ve got one going viral for her equipment maintenance moment, and another making a difference for others even after leaving the squad. All that, plus we examine how physical things will really get in Oxnard, we look back at which Cowboys picks were the best ever at their draft slots, we look ahead to a big milestone for the franchise, and we hear from a big-time AFC wideout who reveals just how close he came to becoming a Cowboy last season.
Schottenheimer looks to past stars to inspire Cowboys :: ESPN
The new coach has enlisted the help of former Cowboys players from across all eras to instill a sense of the franchise’s history in his young charges, from hanging out at the facility to one-on-one technique lessons to true mentoring about how to be a pro. “I mean, they’re part of our family. It’s like having an uncle or grandfather, in some cases, that you can use as a sounding board,” Coach Schottenheimer said. “Are they going to be friends? Hell, I hope so. But if they’re not, there’s experiences that they can garner from the likes of Randy White, Bob Lilly, Michael Irvin, Dat Nguyen.”
Cowboys depth at edge rusher may be envy of all other NFL teams if they can fit all on 53 :: Cowboys Wire
The Cowboys typically keep around 10 defensive linemen on the 53-man roster. On the edge, they have four possible starters, and that doesn’t even count Sam Williams or former first-round draft pick Payton Turner. With a rotation like that, opposing offenses could quickly find themselves overwhelmed.
Cowboys could replace Micah Parsons with SEC star pass rusher :: The Sporting News
With the way the Cowboys are handling the Parsons situation, there’s a chance he’s playing elsewhere after the 2025 season. One mock draft already has Dallas going after his replacement, Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk. Or maybe there’s an opportunity to create a dangerous duo: “Faulk’s size and strength would be fun to pair with Parsons’ speed.”
Cowboys invested in $80 million player, but not much else at defensive tackle for 2025 :: Cowboys Wire
Odighizuwa is a top-five pass-rushing DT in the league, and now he’s being paid like it. The Cowboys have gone the value route with the other tackles, though. Mazi Smith is still on his rookie deal, Jay Toia and Tommy Akingbesote are rookies, Perrion Winfrey is a reclamation project, and Solomon Thomas brings veteran leadership at a relative bargain price.
Will training camp be more physical? :: The Mothership
A reader wonders if Brian Schottenheimer will dial up the physicality in Oxnard, but the Collective Bargaining Agreement is awfully strict in what they won’t allow. Maybe there’s a way to ramp up into more hitting, but no one wants an injury in July or August. It wouldn’t be a shock if the players go a little harder and faster this year under the energetic first-year coach anyway.
Cowboys should sign $7 million former player to hold fort while injuries heal :: Cowboys Wire
Trevon Diggs is still rehabbing a knee injury, and rookie Shavon Revel, Jr. is coming off one of his own. The position is thin; it would be wise for Dallas to add someone who can step in and help with minimal ramp-up. Someone like free agent Stephon Gilmore, who was with the Cowboys as recently as 2023. Safety Juanyeh Thomas has posted about talking with the five-time Pro Bowler recently, resurrecting rumors that a summer signing could be in the works.
2025 NFL offseason: Biggest surprise players on each team :: ESPN
Todd Archer thinks Kaiir Elam has to be the key to the Cowboys’ cornerback group. He’s flashed on numerous occasions in the OTAs and minicamp, he had multiple interceptions (and dropped two more), and he showed the ability to run with the team’s best receivers.
Former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Chandi Dayle is rebuilding after hitting rock bottom :: Vanity Fair
Dayle has been one of the breakout stars of Season 2 of the America’s Sweeteharts Netflix series, even as she prepared to retire from the squad after six seasons. In one subplot, she revealed on the show that she is a survivor of domestic violence, harassment, and stalking at the hands of an ex-boyfriend. “I’ve been getting a lot of messages about domestic violence, and it’s overwhelming to know that so many people are going through that. It hurts my heart,” she said. “But it gives me peace, because I helped someone else maybe find their voice.”
Dallas Cowboys cheerleader sparks outcry with pompom TikTok video :: Dallas Morning News
The series is letting viewers behind the scenes in lots of ways, and the interest has carried right down to pompom maintenance. Rookie Abby Summers has gone viral with a TikTok video in which she shows how she fluffs the blue, white, and silver streamers; many of the 3 million who have watched the clip were angered that the cheerleaders have to do that kind of thing themselves. Others said they had no idea pompoms even needed fluffing.
14 Cowboys named to ESPN’s ‘Best draft pick’ per-slot list, 5x SB starter ineligible :: Cowboys Wire
The best player ever drafted at every draft slot in NFL history? The Cowboys landed 14 of the 262 players, over 5% of the list. Emmitt Smith as the best No. 17 pick? Yes. Jason Witten stands out among a talented group of No. 69s, and so on. A few forgotten names here, too… as well as a few that are missing entirely. Roger Staubach wasn’t included at No. 129 only because the cut-off was the first draft that combined NFL and AFL players.
Rashod Bateman says he’s glad the Dallas Cowboys trade never happened :: Ravens Wire
Before signing an extension with the Ravens last spring, the fifth-year wide receiver was strongly linked to Dallas. “I went through a lot of things with the Cowboys and all of that with my contract,” Bateman said. “There was a time when I didn’t know what was going to happen. [The Cowboys] were a thing, for sure. It was a possibility. I don’t want to deny that.” Bateman says he told his agent he didn’t want to play anywhere other than Baltimore, who drafted him 27th overall in 2021.
Cowboys will hit this franchise milestone vs New York Giants in Week 2 :: Cowboys Wire
The Cowboys will play the 1,000th regular-season game in franchise history when they host the Giants in Week 2. They’ll be the 21st NFL team to reach the milestone. They’re also hanging around the rim for the best all-time wining percentage; just .001 behind the first-place Ravens.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys News: Coach calls on team greats, Ravens WR reveals near-trade
