4 of the Cowboys biggest question marks entering training camp
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Editor’s note: We are welcoming a new writer to the front page of BTB. Jorge Guajardo is joining us; he is a grad student at Arizona State and is also doing some writing at the Arizona Republic. Welcome aboard, Jorge! — Dave Halprin
The million-dollar question for the Dallas Cowboys? How much better can the defense be after surrendering the most points in franchise history and being dead last in the league in defensive points per game?
AdvertisementAdvertisementLet’s look ahead at some of the biggest question marks heading into the 2026 season for Christian Parker’s defense, and then a little bit on the offense.
Can the front seven adapt to a new scheme?
The Cowboys have added more beef to a defensive line in transition like defensive tackles Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams who came in over the last year. Pivoting from a base 4-3 to a base 3-4 under Parker will move players around on the defensive front.
One brand new addition is former Green Bay Packers defensive end Rashan Gary, who tallied 46.5 sacks during his time in Green Bay, but has never accumulated double-digit sacks in a season. To add to the question marks, Gary did not record a sack after Week 13 of last season.
AdvertisementAdvertisementHe’s joining a pass-rush that is relatively still unproven; two of the Cowboys’ top-three pass rushers are no longer on the team, making James Houston the incumbent sack leader with 5.5 sacks to his credit in 2025.
Even still, head coach Brian Schottenheimer has faith in Gary’s abilities.
“You just watch him work,” Schottenheimer said to [ESPN’s Brian] Todd. “He understands what work ethic it takes to be a great player, and I’m really, really excited about that.”
Gary aside, a lot will be asked of the young defenders like Donovan Ezeiruaku and Malachi Lawrence.
On the second level, there will be a different role for a player like DeMarvion Overshown, and the addition of linebacker Dee Winters and rookie Jaishawn Barham could be a huge boost to a LB core that struggled mightily in 2025.Can a terrible secondary from a year ago recover?
In the secondary, all eyes will be on 2026 first-round pick Caleb Downs. If OTAs were any indication, it looks like Parker will use Downs all over the field as he’s gotten reps at safety, the nickelback, and big nickel packages thus far.
ESPN analyst Mina Kimes believes Downs is a chess piece for a defense that is looking to rebound.“Caleb Downs is, on paper, the answer to so many of the things that Dallas got wrong, not just last year, but has gotten wrong for years. Only the Giants were worse in giving up explosive runs, something that you imagine Downs will be very good at helping limit some of those explosives. He’s a phenomenal run defender.”
Outside of Downs, the safety position was shored up by the addition of Jalen Thompson after the Cowboys signed the 27-year-old away from the Cardinals this offseason.
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Malik Hooker is currently listed as the starting free safety, but one has to wonder if that job will eventually be Downs’ permanently by the time Week 1 rolls around. Hooker would head to the bench but provide good veteran depth at that position.
For the cornerbacks, there are even more questions. Can DaRon Bland get healthy, stay healthy and return to form? Can the young bucks like Shavon Revel Jr. and Caelen Carson rise to the occasion and make a difference?Cobie Durant’s acquisition helps a questionable position group that was exposed repeatedly in 2025. Devin Moore was also added via the draft.
On offense, what about the tackles?
The offense was a bright spot last year, as quarterback Dak Prescott led a potent attack that amassed the third-most yards in franchise history with 6,663.
One of the shortcomings, however, was along the offensive line, particularly the play of Terence Steele and Tyler Guyton. Steele was credited with allowing six sacks in 2025, and Pro Football Focus has the tackle graded No. 55 out of 89 tackles in the NFL with a 63.6 overall grade.Tyler Guyton was worse. His PFF ranking was 65th out of all tackles with a 57.5 overall grade. If Steele and Guyton can just be closer to the league average overall as far as PFF grades go, this offensive line could be complete in terms of ability as a unit.
AdvertisementAdvertisementHow does the depth shake out at the skill positions?
Elsewhere, the skill positions, like running back and wide receiver, have only a few questions. Who can step up behind Javonte Williams? Can Jaydon Blue emerge as a serviceable back? Will Phil Mafah, who’s been putting in extra work this offseason, break through?
Lastly, a look at the receivers shows us a group with exceptional depth. All-Pros Cee Dee Lamb and George Pickens make up what could be the most lethal WR duo in football. One of the few concerns is whether using the franchise tag on Pickens will be a distraction. Also, will Ryan Flournoy’s ascension continue in 2026 after a strong 2025 showing? Can KaVontae Turpin find snaps at WR in 2026?As always, there are a ton of questions surrounding this team, many of which won’t be answered until the season begins in earnest.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
