The Dallas Cowboys will touch down in Oxnard on Monday morning to begin another training camp under the California sun. If it felt like this offseason dragged longer than most, that's probably because Jerry Jones and Co. kept an uncharacteristically low profile.
That's all about to change, as there's never a dull moment in Cowboys training camp, and this year is shaping up to be the most entertaining summer in a long time.
A big reason for that is the sheer competition on both sides of the ball. Most roster spots are likely already spoken for, but these four players still have plenty to prove as training camp gets underway, despite all of them making the 53-man roster last year.
4 Dallas Cowboys sitting on a hot seat as training camp gets underway
Tyler Guyton, LT
Whether Guyton's status as the starting left tackle is actually threatened remains to be seen, but seats don't get much hotter than a head coach declaring an open competition at your position. Third-year pro Nate Thomas and fourth-round rookie Drew Shelton will look to unseat Guyton, whose first two seasons have been defined by injuries and momentum-killing penalties.
Guyton didn't grade out well by Pro Football Focus last year, but his development was noticeable. Unfortunately, he missed seven games, and it's unclear how "healthy" he was to start the season, as he had just returned from a bone fracture in his knee that shelved him for most of camp.
The 2024 first-round pick should win the job as long as he stays upright. Another injury, though, would give Thomas or Shelton the necessary runway to send Guyton to the bench.
Even if Guyton keeps his job, this season will go a long way toward determining his future with the organization.
Jonathan Mingo, WR
It was less than two years ago that the Cowboys traded a fourth-round pick to the Carolina Panthers for Mingo. Some trades feel doomed the second they are reported, and the Mingo deal is on the fast track to joining the Trey Lance trade in the land of misfit moves.
Mingo enters his second training camp with Dallas with little margin for error in a wide receiver room that already has four locks to make the team: CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy, and KaVontae Turpin.
The Cowboys are so talented at the position that they can afford to go a little light at the backend. That could leave Mingo, Traeshon Holden, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Anthony Smith, Jordan Hudson, Tyler Johnson, and Denzel Mims all competing for one spot.
Even if Dallas keeps six wide receivers, Mingo will have his work cut out for him. He had a quiet training camp last year before suffering a PCL sprain in his right knee during a preseason game that sidelined him for more than a month. He wasn't activated until Week 12 and finished with just one catch for 25 yards in six games.
Mingo can play on special teams, which increases his value, but his seat is scalding hot regardless as camp gets underway.
Markquese Bell, SAF
Speaking of playing on special teams, that might be Bell's saving grace when all is said and done. He's been a core special-teamer throughout his Cowboys tenure, and it just so happens that Dallas needs to replace longtime captain C.J. Goodwin, who retired this offseason.
Bell played 304 special teams snaps last season, and he's trusted in almost every facet, including kickoff return, kickoff coverage, punt return, punt coverage, and field goal block.
The one problem? The Cowboys remade their safety room this offseason, bringing in Caleb Downs, Jalen Thompson, and P.J. Locke. Malik Hooker is still around, too. Those four will be on the 53, leaving Bell's seat burning hot after he logged 352 defensive snaps a season ago.
The 27-year-old could easily end up on the 53, but he's on the roster bubble entering camp.
Joe Milton, QB
Like Tyler Guyton at left tackle, the Cowboys are going to make Milton win the backup quarterback job this summer. The one (big) difference is that Milton and Sam Howell are essentially on equal footing, while Guyton has a clear advantage over Nate Thomas and Drew Shelton.
Milton has all the physical tools to be a good quarterback, but the NFL has chewed up and spit out countless gifted passers who couldn't overcome inconsistent accuracy and timing.
At this stage, Howell has a better command of the position and more experience after starting every game for the Commanders in 2023. The bar for backup QB play in Dallas is concerningly low, but Howell has what it takes to beat out Milton.
Acquired via trade last offseason, Milton played almost every snap last preseason, and it was ugly. He completed 36 of 65 passes for 397 yards (6.1 yards per attempt) with two touchdowns and interceptions apiece, four turnover-worthy plays, and a 71.1 passer rating, per PFF.
Spread those stats out over three games, and you'll get an idea of how rough a watch it was. It's not hard to envision Dallas leaving Milton off the 53 if his struggles persist.
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