The Dallas Cowboys training camp is scheduled to begin by the end of the month, July 28. While the Cowboys have stayed out of the headlines and made additions to the roster, one ESPN analyst isn’t convinced of the Cowboys' offseason moves.

ESPN’s Seth Walder awarded Dallas a C+ offseason grade, arguing that the team's chances of becoming a contender will depend largely on whether its defensive changes translate into results.

“If the coordinator change and personnel reinforcements can make Dallas' defense roughly average while the offense maintains its torrid 2025 production, the Cowboys can quickly become a contender,” Seth Walder wrote.

According to Seth Walder, if the defensive changes prove successful while the offense maintains its 2025 production, Dallas could emerge as a Super Bowl contender.

Walder wrote in the same article that he considers keeping wide receiver George Pickens on the franchise tag as the "biggest move."

He believes the Cowboys made the right move in not extending Pickens for a long-term deal, considering his behavior issues during his stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He also noted the replacement of Matt Eberflus with new defensive coordinator Christian Parker and utilizing five of seven draft picks on the defensive unit by drafting Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence in the first round as a positive move.

Walder disliked trading defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, as he believes that the Cowboys should have traded Kenny Clark instead.

Odighizuwa produces more than Clark at this stage in their careers, and with his age, he could prove to be a long-term valuable asset.

He also expressed disappointment in overpaying for pass rusher Rashan Gary at $16 million per year.

Gary hasn't produced more than eight sacks in the last two years, falling behind his best campaign of 2021, where he recorded 9.5 sacks.

While Walder questioned whether Dallas' offseason will be enough to elevate the team, head coach Brian Schottenheimer is focused on ensuring the roster arrives at training camp intact.

Schottenheimer wants smart decisions before camp

The Cowboys' head coach, Brian Schottenheimer, delivered a warning to the players to be cautious during their break before the training camp.

"Protect the team," Schottenheimer said, per Jon Machota of The Athletic. "We’re going to need everybody. To go where we’re going this year, and to chase the championship that we want to chase and win so badly, we’re going to need everybody. So, they have to think about their teammates, their brothers, before they think about themselves.”

He also expressed confidence in the team's offseason moves as he believes they have a bunch of good human beings, rather than paying more emphasis on their talents.

As training camp nears, Schottenheimer believes Dallas has built the right culture to compete, but Walder's evaluation suggests the Cowboys will still need their offseason moves.

Particularly on defense, to translate into results before they can be viewed as true contenders.

What are your thoughts on the Cowboys' performance in the 2026 season? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Rudra Dubey