Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy has spent the last couple of weeks acclimating the veterans to the team's new schemes in a virtual offseason program due to the shutdown of all NFL facilities because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Now, it's time for the seven rookie draft picks and the 15 undrafted free agents to test their ability to focus and learn via video conference with a three-day virtual rookie minicamp starting on Friday.
"It's been a challenge for everybody," McCarthy said. "I'm impressed with the coaches and the feedback as far as their time with the players. We are making hay here and taking the steps we need to right now. I feel really good about the amount of football we've been able to get through with our current veterans."
Quarterback Dak Prescott has not been one of those veterans in attendance. He has continued to boycott the offseason program due to his contract dispute and has yet to sign his franchise tender.
McCarthy avoided the question about what Prescott has missed in terms of learning the new offensive system. Team owner Jerry Jones, however, regards it as a non-issue in the big picture of Prescott's future with the Cowboys, and is focused instead on the team they are trying to build around him.
"When I look at the career that Dak has had it gives me a solid feeling about what's in store for us in the future," Jones said. "We've got to do everything we can to put players on the Cowboys that, with his talent at quarterback, can really win championships or have a shot at it."
In terms of bolstering the offense, the Cowboys' biggest offseason moves have been signing receiver Amari Cooper to a five-year, $100 million contract extension and selecting Oklahoma superstar receiver CeeDee Lamb with the 17th overall pick in the draft two weeks ago.
The Cowboys have also added nine veterans in free agency, including former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton, who'll serve as a backup behind Prescott.
"I'm excited about the acquisitions we made in free agency," McCarthy said. "The guys have done a good job to keep adding to the competition."
