Cowboys offseason schedule: 2023 minicamp, OTA dates announced

The 2023 NFL Draft is in the books, which means Dallas Cowboys fans are a step closer to watching the team's updated roster practice together.

The intensity and overall interest won't rev up until training camp in late July, but the ramp up period before camp and preseason is just as important.

After all, rookies are brought up to speed with the playbook, new teammates build chemistry and perhaps the biggest variable of them all is that Mike McCarthy is installing his offense after he took the reins from Kellen Moore.

It's incredible how the NFL manages to pique fans' interest year-round, and Cowboys fans can pivot from the post-Draft adrenaline to the schedule release in the second week of May all the while monitoring the offseason program.

Speaking of which, we now know the dates of Dallas' offseason itinerary.

Cowboys 2023 OTA workouts and minicamp schedule

Rookie minicamp is first up on the calendar. This will include the Cowboys' eight draft picks -- meaning Deuce Vaughn's first practice with the team -- and the team's 13 undrafted free agent signings, including North Dakota State fullback Hunter Luepke, who received $20 million in guarantees from Dallas.

Outsiders may be invited to attend rookie minicamp, too.

That will be followed by organized team activities (OTAS), which aren't mandatory. Mandatory minicamp will get underway not long after OTAs. This is typically around the time when disgruntled extension-eligible players stay away from the team so as to not risk injury and hopefully initiate the negotiation process. In Micah Parsons' case, though, he won't report to OTAs as he bulks up and converts to a full-time edge rusher.

OTAs are more about scheme and playbook installation than on-field practice. The focus is largely fixated on younger players, but veterans will show up to provide leadership and guidance.

Cowboys offseason workout dates

Rookie minicamp: May 12-14

Organized team activities: May 22-23, May 25, May 30, June 1-2, June 13-15

Mandatory minicamp: June 6-8

After minicamp, players and coaches will break for vacation before returning for training camp roughly a month later. Of course, some rookies and younger players will stick around to further their education of the playbook, while veterans will plan outside workouts to stay sharp before the regular-season tune up.

Perhaps the most aspect of this entire process is no physical contact is allowed since the pads won't come on until training camp.

Who else is excited?