Cowboys' Latest Big Decision Guarantees Training Camp Will Be a Lot Different This Year
By Scott Rogust
The global spread of the coronavirus has put a halt to the NFL's traditional offseason plans. No live NFL Draft and a lack of in-person OTA's were the new normal these past couple of months. Now, those changes are going to linger late into the summer, and will greatly affect the Dallas Cowboys in particular.
According to ESPN's Todd Archer, the NFL is directing teams to conduct their respective training camps from their home facilities. With that in mind, the Cowboys will be unable to hold their annual camp in Oxnard, California, as they have for the last eight years.
The Cowboys will not be heading to Oxnard, California, for training camp this summer with the league directing teams to remain at their own facilities because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to multiple sources. Last week coach Mike McCarthy said... https://t.co/QA5FBlYkef
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) June 2, 2020
Just last week, new head coach Mike McCarthy said they would be holding split training camp practices from Oxnard and their Frisco, Texas facility aptly dubbed "The Star." The split schedules are officially off the table, as the NFL is imploring that all teams remain at home to prevent a potential outbreak of COVID-19.
In fact, there has been a rise in new novel coronavirus cases in Oxnard this month, so the decision to stay in north Texas shouldn't come as a shock.
The Cowboys have called Oxnard the home of training camp since 2012. Prior to that, "America's Team" used to hold camp at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Oxnard was an ideal location for the 'Boys, mostly due to its beautiful 60-70 degree weather, as opposed to the 100-plus degree dry heat in Texas.
No Oxnard trip for the Cowboys this summer. Will be their first camp outside of California since 2011. https://t.co/vAe6ckQghB
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) June 2, 2020
The Cowboys have to embrace this new normal in 2020. As the coronavirus remains a threat, the health of players and coaches is the number one priority. Keeping them in their own home cities is the best way to ensure that.