Cowboys news: DeMarvion Overshown’s bold statement ahead of crucial season

Will Cowboyswide receiver George Pickens show up for mandatory offseason work? It remains to be seen for a receiver who signed his franchise tag but likely wants what the Cowboys currently don’t intend to give him: a long-term deal. That won’t stop his work with quarterback Dak Prescott, however.

Prescott, speaking Thursday from annual Reliant Home Run Derby in Frisco, said he and Pickens have thrown this offseason together even though Pickens didn’t show up for voluntary workouts earlier this month. Prescott said he and Pickens will also continue to throw together as needed, which isn’t abnormal from what Prescott has done with other receivers during his decade-long career as the starting quarterback of the Cowboys.

Prescott also hinted about Pickens’ potential plans for later in the offseason.

“Obviously he signed the tag, so when he has to be there and ready to play, he’s going to be there,” Prescott said. “He’s a hell of a talent.”

Pickens proved that a season ago.

Pickens made the Pro Bowl last season for the first time in his four-year career. It was a breakout year for him after the Cowboys acquired him from the Steelers. He set career highs in all three major receiving categories, finishing with 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns.

Cowboys veterans on Caleb Downs: ‘I love the way he’s wired’ – Tommy Yarrish, DallasCowboys.com

Caleb Downs is as advertised so far in Dallas.

FRISCO, Texas – Nearly a month after the 2026 NFL Draft, the Cowboys’ rookie class has begun integrating with the veterans and new additions to Dallas’ roster.

At the forefront of the newcomers is Caleb Downs, who Dallas selected with the 11th overall pick. Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott said at the team’s charity home run derby Thursday night that he’s already spent some time around Downs and is looking forward to seeing what he can accomplish in his highly anticipated rookie season.

“I love that way that’s he wired and I’m excited for him,” Prescott said. “He’s got some great vets, whether it be myself to ask questions to or great vets on that defensive side now to help make sure that he gets off to a great start.”

Being a first-round pick comes with a lot of pressure and expectations, and the Cowboys have not been shy about their praise for Downs and what they believe he can do in new defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s system. Downs’ teammates have already seen first-hand how he’s handling everything that comes with being a rookie with lofty hopes.

“He’s a worker for sure,” Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown said. “He wants to get better every day. His film speaks for itself. I feel like he came in already with the media talking about he’s a first rounder and they’re expecting a lot from him. He just kind of disregarded it, just coming in working every day hard. Just want to help do whatever to help the team [get] better.

Brian Schottenheimer had personal (and genius) reason for hiring Christian Parker – Levi Dombro, The Landry Hat

Another interesting nugget about the Christian Parker hire.

Dallas Cowboys’ Brian Schottenheimer wanted Christian Parker because he’s struggled against his mentors

According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, who was asked about Parker’s potential impact and scheme, the Cowboys wanted Parker so badly because of wide-ranging experience in great NFL defenses, but more specifically, in defenses that Schottenheimer struggled to coach against.

“First off, it’s not likeallof the Cowboys’ new defensive coordinator’s NFL experience came under Vic Fangio—he worked under the defensive guru in Denver in 2021 and Philly the past two years, while also coaching with Mike Pettine, Ejiro Evero and Vance Joseph as his coordinators in the pros. So, it’s fair to say that Parker will have his own twist on the Fangio scheme, and it’s also true that other teams have looked at poaching Parker because of who he is, not just who he’s worked with.

“That said, part of the appeal for the Cowboys is getting the Fangio system, which has been one of the more difficult to coach against in the NFL. And Brian Schottenheimer knows how tough it is, having been in the division going head-to-head with Fangio the past two years, and also seeing Brandon Staley’s version of it, in the NFC West in [2020].”

‘Nothing new’ – Dak Prescott takes a firm stance on brutal decision the NFL made for the Dallas Cowboys 2026 schedule – Mauricio Rodriguez, AtoZ Sports

The more things change the more they stay the same.

The NFL sets up Cowboys for a brutal start to the year

Between Weeks 3 and 5, the Cowboys’ 2026 schedule features a three-game run in a 12-day stretch. That’s never much fun and this time, it includes a trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil that should take about 24 hours there and back.

Following that trip, the Cowboys will hit the road to Houston for a noon game against the stingy and physical Texans defense. Usually, the league tries to get teams a bye or a long week after a trip abroad. Dallas doesn’t even get an afternoon game here.

And to pile things on, the Cowboys get a short week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the following week. How is the team going to handle it? Dak Prescott is betting on experience.

Dak Prescott says this is nothing new for the Cowboys

Speaking at the annual Reliant Home Run Derby, Prescott confidently claimed the Cowboys can handle the travel burden for a simple reason. They do it every year.

“The travel will be tough but it’s part of growing this game,” Prescott admitted via Jon Machota (The Athletic). “We’ll manage, we’ll figure out the best way to take care of our bodies. We’ve been a part of three games in 11 days every year pretty much with our Thanksgiving Day games. Nothing new, just having to do it earlier [in the season].”

Daily discussion question: What is your favorite part about the Cowboys schedule?