The Dallas Cowboys head coach has kicked off training camp by appointing players from across the roster to a leadership council for the 2026 season.
OXNARD, Calif. - As the Dallas Cowboys get set to embark on Year 2 of the Brian Schottenheimer era at training camp here in Oxnard this week, the head coach on Wednesday announced his 11-man leadership council for the 2026 season.
And this isn't just a "who'' list.
It's also a "what'' list.
Quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, running back Javonte Williams, offensive linemen Tyler Smith and Tyler Booker, tight end Jake Ferguson, defensive tackles Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark, safety Jalen Thompson, edge rusher Rashan Gary and punter Bryan Anger are the appointed guys.
These players serve as Schottenheimer's extension from the coaching staff into the locker room, providing a blend of veteran experience and wisdom as cornerstone influences of Schottenheimer's culture, an aspect of the team he so feverously values.
That culture component will be on full display as practices begin in Oxnard today.
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Understandably, Schottenheimer's group includes a handful with deep ties to the Cowboys, which embodies knowledge of the team's external brand and reach as much as operations inside the building.
Prescott, now 33 years of age, is the longest-tenured player on the roster. CeeDee Lamb is among those veterans, as well, having spent six NFL seasons with "America's Team". Smith (entering Year 5), Ferguson (Year 5), and Anger (Year 6) are also staples in the silver and blue.
Just over half of the council has only one season, at most, of experience with the Cowboys.
This appointment is a testament to their demonstrations of not just on-field performance, but locker room dependability. Those are impressive traits for players with little to no history within the team's walls.
Javonte Williams is coming off a career-best season in his debut year with Dallas in 2025. The ball-carrier, who signed a contract extension earlier this offseason, rushed for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns. A valedictorian in high school and University of North Carolina Chapel Hill product, Williams is often referred to as one of the most intellectual players on the team.
Quinnen Williams, one of the best defensive tackles in football, is entering his first full season with Dallas after his midseason trade acquisition. Dallas was able to add the former All-Pro off the draft capital received from the Green Bay Packers in last August's Micah Parsons trade. A byproduct of that move, defensive tackle Clark, will pair nicely next to Williams, just as the two did at the end of last season.
Some from this group will likely be captains throughout the year, as well, in addition to their spot on the leadership council.
The council can be an airing-of-grievances conduit to the coaching staff, thus improving communication for all involved. But there is also some symbolism here; these are the 11 players who the coaching staff wants others to emulate ... and the designated serves as a feather in the cap of the honorees.
The Cowboys' new-look defense, led by 34-year-old coordinator Christian Parker, has spent this offseason adding reinforcements to the defensive line in Gary, and in the secondary with signee Thompson, who signed a lucrative free-agent deal.
Perhaps the most intriguing leadership selection is second-year offensive guard Booker, who we dubbed as a "classy bully" upon his No. 12 overall draft selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Booker was a three-year captain at Alabama and endorsed by legendary head coach Nick Saban as one of the best locker-room leaders the storied program has ever seen ... not to mention his dominant career. In one year in Dallas, he's lived up to that reputation - on and off the field.
With this group leading the charge, Schottenheimer is inspiring owner Jerry Jones with the belief that a deep postseason run is possible.
"We got a chance to really be good,” Jones said at his training camp press conference. “I like the mood … (But) it will be hard.”
That latter point goes without saying after Schottenheimer's 7-9-1 debut ... and we suppose that's good enough reason to develop a leadership council.
