The Dallas Cowboys are heading into the 2025 NFL season with big expectations and a hunger to reclaim their status as Super Bowl contenders. That preparation will include a new twist this summer, as the team announced it will hold a joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams during training camp. The joint session is set to take place in Oxnard, California, where the Cowboys annually hold camp, and will provide both franchises a valuable opportunity to sharpen their rosters in a competitive, controlled environment. With star power on both sides, old rivalries rekindled, and emerging talent eager to prove itself, the stage is set for an intense and highly scrutinized meeting between two of the league’s most talked-about teams.
For Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, the decision to schedule a joint practice isn’t just about breaking the monotony of training camp. It’s a calculated move meant to inject a new level of urgency into team drills and simulate game-like pressure situations. Unlike the usual inter-squad battles that players grow familiar with, lining up against a different uniform—especially one as battle-tested as Sean McVay’s Rams—forces players to elevate their focus and execution.
The Rams, for their part, also stand to gain significantly from the arrangement. Coming off a season in which they reestablished themselves as one of the NFL’s most competitive teams, L.A. enters the summer with a blend of veteran leadership and young, ascending stars. The Rams’ coaching staff will no doubt relish the opportunity to measure their talent against a Cowboys roster that is among the deepest in the league. The shared practice also presents a golden opportunity for McVay and McCarthy—two respected minds in the game—to observe how their units respond to different looks, tempo, and style.
From a player development perspective, this kind of practice carries immense value. For Dallas, it means that quarterback Dak Prescott will get live reps against a defense that plays a vastly different scheme than the one he faces daily in practice. Likewise, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford will get to test his arm and chemistry with his receivers against one of the NFL’s fastest and most aggressive defensive backfields. The cross-pollination of strategies and talent can be invaluable, especially for younger players who haven’t yet seen much live NFL action.
All eyes will be on how the Cowboys’ offensive line holds up against the Rams’ defensive front. While Los Angeles no longer has Aaron Donald anchoring their unit, the Rams have still built a scrappy and opportunistic front that can expose weaknesses in protection schemes. For the Cowboys, whose offensive line depth has been questioned in recent years, the matchup serves as a key litmus test. Tyler Smith, Tyler Biadasz, and rookie linemen like Cooper Beebe will have to show they can adapt quickly and protect Prescott against unexpected blitzes and stunts.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Cowboys’ secondary—led by Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, and safety Malik Hooker—will be tested by a Rams receiving corps that includes Cooper Kupp and breakout star Puka Nacua. The joint practice will not only challenge the Cowboys’ cornerbacks but also offer a chance for the defense to continue developing its new identity under defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. Having recently taken over for Dan Quinn, Zimmer is installing more complex coverages and demanding greater discipline from his back-end defenders. There’s no better way to assess their progress than to have them face two of the most nuanced route runners in the NFL.
Another storyline to follow is the development of the Cowboys’ rookie class. First-round pick Marshawn Kneeland, a disruptive pass rusher out of Western Michigan, will get his first real chance to hit someone not wearing the star on their helmet. Likewise, rookie linebacker Marist Liufau and defensive back Caelen Carson will be looking to earn their place in the rotation. Joint practices are often where young players begin to separate themselves from the pack. The intensity is high, coaches are watching every rep, and mistakes are harder to hide.
For the Rams, who are also grooming several new faces, the practice serves a similar function. With Stafford nearing the twilight of his career, every rep with his young receivers is crucial. Expect the Rams to give extended reps to players like Tutu Atwell and rookie wideout Jordan Whittington, testing them against Dallas’ physical secondary. Additionally, running back Kyren Williams will get an opportunity to test his vision and pass-blocking skills against one of the NFL’s fastest linebacker groups, headlined by Micah Parsons and Leighton Vander Esch.
Speaking of Parsons, he’s likely to be one of the main attractions at this joint practice. Few players in the NFL command the attention he does, and Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur will need to game-plan even in this limited setting to keep him in check. Joint practices allow coordinators to experiment, and the chess match between LaFleur and Zimmer could offer fans an early preview of how each team plans to attack in 2025. Whether Parsons lines up off the edge or roams freely as a hybrid linebacker, his presence is sure to force adjustments.
The joint practice is also likely to feature situational drills—red zone, two-minute, and third-down packages—giving coaches a critical evaluation tool. It’s in these moments that veterans like CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, and Tony Pollard can showcase their mastery of the offense. Lamb, in particular, continues to evolve as one of the league’s most versatile weapons. His matchups against Rams cornerbacks like Derion Kendrick and Cobie Durant will be must-watch action. Pollard, fully recovered from his 2023 leg injury, enters this camp with something to prove. Going head-to-head with a Rams linebacker group that prides itself on speed and pursuit could ignite the kind of competition that turns average practices into unforgettable battles.
For the fans, this joint session is a dream come true. Both franchises have national followings, and the location in Southern California ensures a strong turnout. Cowboys fans travel well, and Oxnard always buzzes with anticipation when camp kicks off. Add the Rams to the equation, and the atmosphere becomes even more electric. There’s also the possibility of some on-field fireworks—joint practices often get chippy, especially when pride is on the line and players are fighting for roster spots.
That intensity, though, is something both coaching staffs will need to manage carefully. Fights, late hits, and unnecessary jawing can derail the focus of a session. Both McVay and McCarthy have emphasized discipline and professionalism in their camps in years past, and it will be imperative that veterans like Demarcus Lawrence and Tyron Smith set the tone.
