The calendar has flipped to 2026, and for the Dallas Cowboys, that means one thing: it's time to get back to work. On Monday morning, the organization opened the doors of The Star in Frisco for Phase 1 of its voluntary offseason workout program, officially kicking off the trek toward the 2026 season.
While no pads will be cracked and no real football will be thrown in competitive drills just yet, Monday's start carries symbolic weight. It represents the first step in what the Cowboys hope is a rebound campaign after a 2025 season that left more questions than answers. For a franchise that has consistently loaded its roster with talent but failed to deliver deep playoff runs, these early spring mornings are where culture is rebuilt and potential is unlocked.
What Phase 1 Entails
Per the NFL's offseason calendar, Phase 1 is strictly limited to strength and conditioning work, as well as physical rehabilitation. Coaches are permitted to meet with players, but only for classroom instruction. No on-field drills involving footballs are allowed. It's all about getting bodies back in the building, re-establishing routines, and setting a foundation for the months ahead.
The Cowboys' program began Monday, April 27, as confirmed by the team's official website. Participation is voluntary, but for a franchise with aspirations of hoisting a Lombardi Trophy, attendance tends to be high among core veterans who understand the importance of building chemistry early.
The team's facility in Frisco has become a year-round hub for player activity, and Monday's turnout was expected to include a strong representation from both veterans and younger players eager to make an impression on the coaching staff.
The Bigger Picture: Why This Spring Matters
For the Cowboys, the 2026 offseason isn't just another calendar milestone. It arrives amid a period of transition and expectation.
After a disappointing finish in 2025--one that saw the team fall short of its Super Bowl ambitions--the front office spent the winter months retooling the roster through free agency and the draft. The result is a team that looks different in several key areas while retaining its core of high-end talent.
Quarterback play remains the central storyline. Dak Prescott enters the 2026 season fully healthy and with a chip on his shoulder after an up-and-down prior campaign. Phase 1 workouts offer him the first chance to build rapport with new and returning pass-catchers in the meeting room and weight room, even if actual throwing sessions won't come until later phases.
The offensive line, a perennial strength of the organization, also underwent some changes this offseason. The Cowboys invested in depth and competition along the front five, and these early workouts allow the team to begin the process of identifying the best combination of starters.
Defensively, the Cowboys are looking to reclaim their identity as one of the NFC's most feared units. Last season, inconsistency plagued a group that on paper should have been dominant. Phase 1 is about getting the core players back in the building and setting the tone for Christian Parker's first full season as defensive coordinator.
Key Players to Watch This Spring
As the Cowboys settle into their offseason routine, several players will draw particular attention:
CeeDee Lamb -- The star wide receiver is coming off another 1,200-yard season and remains the offense's most reliable playmaker. With the Cowboys potentially looking to expand the passing game under new offensive coordinator Klayton Adams, Lamb's early buy-in is critical. His leadership in the receiver room will be especially valuable as younger players look to carve out roles.
Rookies and Young Players -- Dallas added several promising prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft, and this workout program represents their first real introduction to the NFL lifestyle. Learning how to practice, recover, and prepare like a professional begins now. The coaching staff will be watching closely to see which young players embrace the opportunity.
It's worth noting that two former stars, Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs, are no longer with the Cowboys heading into 2026. Parsons was traded to the Green Bay Packers prior to the 2025 season, and Diggs was waived late in 2025 and subsequently joined the Packers before being released earlier this year. Their absence leaves fresh opportunities for new leaders to emerge on the defensive side.
Setting the Tone
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer has emphasized the importance of the offseason program in building the foundation for a championship team. After stepping into the role recently, Schottenheimer understands that January success is forged in April work. His message to the team on Monday was clear: the 2026 season starts now.
"The offseason program is where you build the trust, the communication, and the conditioning that carries you through a 17-game season," Schottenheimer told reporters. "We have a talented group. Now it's about putting in the work to make sure that talent translates into wins when it matters most."
For the head coach, this spring carries the hope of establishing a new culture and pushing the Cowboys closer to their Super Bowl ambitions.
What's Next on the Calendar
Phase 1 of the Cowboys' offseason program will run through mid-May. Phase 2, which begins in mid-May, allows for on-field work but remains non-contact. Coaches can run drills with players, but no live contact is permitted. This is typically where installation of the offense and defense begins in earnest.
Organized Team Activities (OTAs) will follow in late May and early June, followed by a mandatory minicamp in June. After that, players will break until training camp in late July.
For now, though, it's about getting back into the building, shaking off the rust, and setting the tone for what the Cowboys hope will be a memorable 2026 season.
Final Thoughts
The start of the offseason workout program is a familiar rhythm in the NFL calendar -- routine, predictable, and often overlooked by fans eager for training camp highlights. But for the men inside The Star, it's the first chapter of a new story. The 2025 season is in the rearview mirror. The 2026 season is unwritten.
The Cowboys have the talent. They have the facilities. They have the urgency. Now, they need the work.
And on Monday, that work officially began.
