3 silly but important Dallas Cowboys questions ahead of training camp, including Dak Prescott storyline
The Dallas Cowboys’ first training camp practice takes place Wednesday and while everyone is focusing on the position battles to watch, these silly yet important questions must be answered.
The Dallas Cowboys’ first practice of training camp will take place on Wednesday. Chances are by now, you’ve heard all (or most) about the top position battles to watch, among other things.
Below, I’m listing three storylines I am curious about that may sound silly at first, but that actually be telling. Let’s dive in.
1. Does Dak Prescott’s ‘here we go’ cadence change?
Prescott’s iconic “Yeaaah, here we go!” cadence has become one of the most famous ones in the NFL. Last year, it appeared as if Prescott’s cadence was changing in an effort to make it simpler for backup quarterbacks to replicate it. Once the regular season came around, though, it was clear Prescott was still using it.
According to Mike McCarthy, who was the Cowboys head coach when the cadence originated, described as a way to avoid communication issues between Dak and the offensive linemen.
“The linemen felt they needed a little bigger indicator,” McCarthy said last November on the Pat McAfee Show. “So that’s what we came up with.”
It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Cowboys tweaked it on Brian Schottenheimer’s second year overseeing the team. After all, adjustments have take place in the rapidly-evolving NFL. If they do, will we even notice?
2. Do Cowboys coaches still pull off shenanigans?
Last year, Cowboys assistant coaches emphasized highly-energized practices. That involved a portion of the staff being tasked with doing something silly while players warmed up or did some drills. For instance, they once carried then secondary coach Darian Thompson on a stretcher as if it was a surfboard.
Will the Cowboys eliminate that in 2026? I asked insider Joseph Hoyt from the Dallas Morning News and this is what he said: “We didn’t see that in minicamp and OTAs. Part of me thinks they’re going to be a little bit more different.”
All kidding aside, I believe it could reflect a sense of growth in Schottenheimer if the Cowboys move on from that. Though I won’t judge if the shenanigans continue.
3. Who wins camp bragging rights between CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens?
One of the most underrated aspects of the Cowboys’ George Pickens trade year is how well CeeDee Lamb took it. Wide receivers are known as the divas of the sport, but these two were consistently happy with each other’s success. That being said, who will walk away with the training camp bragging rights?
Beyond the friendly competition, it could be revealing for the Cowboys offense. Will teams be doubling Lamb more often, leading to one-on-one opportunities for Pickens? Or will Lamb re-establish himself as the undisputable WR1 on the team?
I’m not sure anyone will be charting their targets and catches throughout all of camp, but I’ll be paying close attention when joint practices take place.