Five biggest questions for the Dallas Cowboys as they begin OTAs this week
The Dallas Cowboys begin their organized team activities — more commonly known as OTAs — on Monday as the offseason hits its on-field portion of the summer.
The next phase allows the coaching staff to take part in what the Cowboys have already been doing for the last few weeks in voluntary workouts with just players.
While the workouts take place on June 1-2, June 4, June 8-9 and June 11, the media will only get an inside look on June 4 and June 9. Within those six dates, there will be a lot of questions that have to be answered about the 2026 Dallas Cowboys.
Here are the five biggest ones heading into the summer.
Will George Pickens show up?
It’s the biggest question of the offseason.
Star wide receiver George Pickens was given the franchise tag earlier this offseason, and while he hasn’t explicitly stated that he isn’t pleased with the decision, his actions have showed that conclusion. He has yet to show up to voluntary workouts, and head coach Brian Schottenheimer said he hasn’t been given any assurances of Pickens’ presence at any point in the offseason.
It is important to note that, while OTAs are pivotal to the offseason, they are not mandatory for players to attend. Pickens can still remain out of the facility until June 16 when mandatory minicamp begins and when he is subject to fines.
In an offseason when Schottenheimer has said that he looks forward to exploring how the Cowboys can move Pickens around in the offense to increase the already stellar production they had in 2025, it would be critical to have him present.
How is the battle shaping up for QB2?
The Cowboys made it clear that Joe Milton needs to take a step forward this offseason when they signed former Eagles and Commanders quarterback Sam Howell to a one-year deal. Almost immediately after the signing, Schottenheimer said that the two will compete to back up Dak Prescott this season.
Howell has the upper hand when it comes to experience after having started the entirety of the 2023 season for Washington, but Milton has the flashy playmaking ability that could keep his job intact.
Spoiler alert: No one wins a job in OTAs, but you can get a glimpse of what the coaching staff thinks about a specific position battle with how many reps each player gets during the team portions of the practices. If you see Howell and Milton splitting second-team reps, it will be a clear indication of how things look going into training camp next month.
How will the first-team defense look?
In case you’ve been under a rock this offseason, a lot has changed on the defensive side of the ball. A lot.
Not only has a new defensive coordinator come into the picture in the form of Christian Parker, there are expected to be as many as six new starters on that side of the ball after a free agency and draft haul full of additions for Parker’s unit.
From defensive backs Jalen Thompson and Caleb Downs to outside linebacker Rashan Gary and linebacker Dee Winters, it will be interesting to see how Parker lines up all of his new toys. Winters will be one of the more intriguing ones to watch, as he hasn’t taken a lot of snaps at the MIKE spot in his career, but it might have to be where he’s placed on this defense.
Downs is expected to be featured at the nickel spot, but will there be a spot for him in the base 3-4 defense? How will that affect Thompson and Malik Hooker’s placements on the field as well? Does Cobie Durant get starting reps over Shavon Revel Jr. on the outside?
All of those will need a close eye during OTAs.
Is there going to be a competition at left tackle?
While no one in the Cowboys’ front office or on the coaching staff has explicitly stated that Tyler Guyton will have to fight for his starting left tackle job this offseason, they haven’t overtly committed to him either.
After struggling on the field last season and battling injuries for the second year in a row throughout the campaign, Guyton could have to fight off young talent behind him on the depth chart. Swing tackle Nate Thomas inherited a lot of reps last season by way of Guyton’s health and performance, and he will be right there to put up a fight again this offseason. (It’s worth noting that Thomas first caught the coaching staff’s eye in OTAs last year as an option at left tackle.)
In addition, the Cowboys used a fourth-round pick on Penn State left tackle Drew Shelton, who brings a wealth of experience from the college ranks to potentially put up a fight as well.
Will we see Thomas and/or Shelton step into the left tackle spot with Prescott on the field in OTAs? Or, will Guyton assume all of those reps? That will be crucial to watch early on this summer.
Are injured players healthy enough to participate?
While there aren’t many major lingering season-ending injuries from last year to worry about for the Cowboys, there are still a handful of offseason surgeries that will be important to note.
Outside linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku had surgery in January for a torn hip labrum, and while he has been seen on social media rehabbing, Schottenheimer said in April that he is expected to be cleared closer to training camp.
Offensive lineman Tyler Smith also had a minor knee procedure earlier this offseason. He is expected to be a full participant for training camp, but being cautious with his participation in the OTA period could be in his future.
The one lingering season-ending injury to watch these next two weeks will be cornerback DaRon Bland. After back-to-back foot surgeries in as many years, his health will be incredibly important to the future of not only his career, but the defense as a whole.
