5 random pre-training camp questions for the Dallas Cowboys
Raise your hand if you still have unanswered questions about the Dallas Cowboys or how they have handled things up to this point in the offseason. It’s only natural considering there’s so much unknown surrounding this year’s team. Things of course will start ironing themselves out once training camp and preseason gets underway. Until then though, all we can do is hope and pray for the best.
Until the picture starts to become more clear and things start settling into place, we are left with more questions than even Jerry Jones and Company have answers for right now. Because of that, we thought we’d toss out a handful of pre-training camp questions we’ve been pondering over. Maybe some of these questions are the same ones you’ve been asking yourself or perhaps something new to tide you over until camp starts July 24.
#1 – What’s the plan for QB Trey Lance?
Does anybody know what the plans are for Trey Lance? Do the Dallas Cowboys themselves know? How things end up playing out for No. 19 is one of the ultimate mysteries for the Cowboys when they report to Oxnard for training camp. It’s going to be really interesting to see how the coaching staff decides to divvy up QB2 reps between Trey Lance and Cooper Rush in both practice and preseason. Will they showcase No. 19 in the hopes of facilitating a trade? Do they consider him future QB1 material? The answers to these questions and many more about No. 19 will hopefully come more into focus in training camp.
#2 – Where’s the beef?
As things stand right now, the biggest roster concern for the Dallas Cowboys has to be the lack of talent and depth along the interior of their defensive line. They have done little to nothing up to this point of the offseason to upgrade the position, instead seeming to put all their eggs in one basket in the hopes Mazi Smith can take a huge second-year jump. One has to wonder if they already have something in the works with a free agent or if they’re hoping to find upgrades via trade or the waiver wire. Whatever the case, they absolutely have to do something, otherwise the season may be doomed before it even gets started.
#3 – Will Mike McCarthy’s uncertain future impact the present?
Speculation has already started that Bill Belichick is the favorite to replace Mike McCarthy as the Dallas Cowboys new head coach after the completion of the 2024 season. Considering McCarthy was hired to get the Cowboys over the playoff hump and is entering the final year of his contract, those rumors aren’t unjustified. McCarthy could very well be on a short leash, so much so in fact, if the team struggles early on he may be out of a job before Dallas’ bye week in Week 7. How much, if any, will that pressure have on his coaching style this season? Could all of this end up trickling down, impacting player performance as well?
#4 – What will be the biggest training camp surprise?
Every year in Oxnard there seems to be some kind of unexpected surprise for the Dallas Cowboys. Who or what that might be this year remains unknown as of now, but that won’t stop us from speculating as to what might happen. Who wouldn’t want to see Tyler Guyton step in from Day 1 and dominate as Tyron Smith’s replacement? The same goes for Cooper Beebe as well. Or may be it will be Jalen Tolbert or Ryan Flournoy dominating as the WR3? Perhaps we might even see Jerry Jones and Company pull off a game-changing trade. There really endless of possibilities, which should make training camp all the more interesting.
#5 – Younger players need to step up, but will they?
The success or failure for the Dallas Cowboys in 2024 could very well come down to how well several of their younger players perform this season. More than in years past, it’s looking as if Dallas will relying heavily on a lot of first- and second-year players to play vital roles. The offensive line may be doomed if Tyler Guyton or Cooper Beebe can’t step up and we’ve already discussed how much the defensive line is relying on Mazi Smith’s development. With only training camp and preseason remaining to help, the coaching staff needs to get these youngsters up to speed as quickly as possible.