Day 1 of Dallas Cowboys training camp is in the books, meaning we have a lot to revisit.

To start things off, Jerry Jones dominated much of the team’s camp-opening news conference by answering questions about contract extensions, fan frustration and expectations. Stephen Jones and Mike McCarthy were also in attendance but didn’t generate as much buzz as the Cowboys owner and general manager.

Before the team’s first practice started, Jerry Jones had already coined a word of the day and pointed out the positive trajectory of the team’s season ticket sales. Here’s a look at what we learned from Day 1 of Cowboys training camp:

Jerry Jones and ambiguity

Much of Jerry Jones’ Thursday monologue included the phrase “ambiguity.” The word was mainly used while discussing frustration from the fan base after a slow summer that was marked by minimal moves on the free-agency market, a holdout from CeeDee Lamb and the lack of an extension for Dak Prescott.

“After 35 years, the one thing that is for sure is ambiguity,’’ Jerry Jones said. “Just the nature of what being a part of sports, a part of football is, is very ambiguous.

“There is always going to be many dangling participles out here of unfinished business. That’s the reality of it.

“That’s what frustrates you [media],’’ Jones continued. “And if it frustrates you it frustrates fans, obviously, to not have closure or to not have bright lines.

“That’s not in my mind. That’s not in my life. I don’t ever anticipate it getting any better with the NFL and the Cowboys.’’

Read more here from The Dallas Morning News’ David Moore.

A lame-duck year for Mike McCarthy?

Following the team’s news conference, Jerry Jones told a small group of reporters that McCarthy has the ability to become Dallas’ coach for years to come. McCarthy is in the final year of a five-year contract.

“I don’t agree with you,” Jones said. “I understand the term and I understand how it fits. I don’t look at it that way. There’s a point in there, I know our fans would like it if everybody were on a low contract, but if they won a Super Bowl, they’d get rid of [everybody]. I’m talking about every coach, every player, I’m talking about everybody. I know that’s the fans’ sentiment. I know that for a fact that you don’t domino if you don’t [win a Super Bowl]. But if you get it, it’s glory hole. Oil and gas term of hitting the big well.”

When asked why McCarthy didn’t receive an extension after the 2023 season, Jerry Jones pointed toward Dallas’ latest wild-card playoff loss to the Packers.

“Green Bay,” Jones said. “Mike has shown me that I want to have him and he’s qualified and he’s excellent and the players are excellent and he’s shown me that he could be our coach for years to come. He sits next to me in the draft. I really call on him a lot. If you can’t get along with Mike McCarthy, you can’t get along.”

Read more from The News’ Calvin Watkins here.

Where do extension talks stand for the Cowboys’ three big stars?

A majority of Dallas fans most likely already know CeeDee Lamb is in the early stages of a camp holdout. The Cowboys receiver is seeking the largest contract for a non-quarterback in league history.

He isn’t the only one seeking a big payday, as Micah Parsons and Dak Prescott are also in line for extensions. Parsons, who said he’ll wait until next year to get a new contract, also wants one of the largest contracts for a non-quarterback in league history.

That leaves us with Prescott.

The Cowboys quarterback desires to retire with the franchise that drafted him but is comfortable knowing it might not end that way. Prescott, entering the final year of his deal, expects to get a fair market value contract if he doesn’t get an extension this year.

“I want to be here but when you look up all the great quarterbacks that I watched, played for other teams,” Prescott said. “So my point in saying that it’s not something to fear. It may be a reality for me one day. It may not be my decision. The freedom that I have is be where your feet are, make the most of it, be confident in yourself, make your team better. I love my teammates I love that locker room.”

Read more here.

What Jerry said about his trial

Before the Cowboys owner joined his team in Southern California, he spent part of the week preoccupied with a trial in Texarkana. Jones brought a countersuit against a woman alleging she was his biological daughter, accusing the woman and her mother of breaching a settlement agreement reached in 1998. The trial came to a sudden resolution Tuesday as the parties settled, signaling the end of multiple lawsuits Jones has faced since 2022.

“Well, we got it resolved like I wanted. And so it was unfortunate but it is resolved,” Jones said Thursday. “And it was, of course, very sensitive with my family and it was very sensitive with the unique publicity that’s involved with the Cowboys, but it was [resolved] satisfactory for all concerned. I won’t be commenting any more about it, but I certainly are where I want to be.”

Read more here.

More coverage of Cowboys camp Day 1

— Jerry Jones remains comfortable selling the past, even in Cowboys’ most puzzling offseason

— While Cowboys navigate contract storm, Dak Prescott reveals honest outlook on future

— Was Jerry Jones sending a message to frustrated Cowboys fans with reference to ambiguity?

— Takeaways from Cowboys’ camp-opening address: Jerry Jones focuses on elephant in the room

— Cowboys owner Jerry Jones comments on dismissed paternity dispute in training camp address

— Why hasn’t Mike McCarthy gotten a contract extension yet? ‘Green Bay,’ Jerry Jones says

— Highlights from Jerry Jones, Mike McCarthy at ‘State of the Cowboys’ address in Oxnard

— Back in the saddle: See photos from Dallas Cowboys’ first training camp practice and opening news conference

Reporting from staff writers Calvin Watkins and David Moore was used in this post.

Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.

Like it or not, the Leagues Cup is back.

The controversial and polarizing midsummer tournament that forces the MLS and Liga MX to a one-month hiatus starts Friday, bringing complaints from some and praise from others.

Major League Soccer is in its best shape since its launch in 1996.

With 26 clubs strategically spread across the United States and three more in Canada, the league reported that stadiums are filled to 94% capacity each game.

So far this season, 8.3 million fans have attended MLS games, the highest number at the All-Star break in league history.

MLS average attendance so far is 23,194, the highest in league history.

With things going so well, it’s hard for some to understand why the MLS needs to be involved in a midsummer tournament.

“It is difficult to stop the league for so long,” said the Spanish midfielder of the LA Galaxy, Riqui Puig, who played for the MLS All-Star Team against the stars of Liga MX on Wednesday. Liga MX won 4-1 in Columbus.

“It’s complicated, even more so if you are in a moment where you are adding victory after victory and the team is playing at a good level,” said Puig, who played for Barcelona before arriving in the MLS.

The Leagues Cup includes 77 matches hosted at MLS stadiums throughout the U.S. and Canada.

All 29 MLS clubs and 18 Liga MX teams participate in a World Cup-style tournament. The competition has a Group Stage made up of two regions (East and West), followed by knockout rounds until one team is crowned champion.

Officially sanctioned by Concacaf, the top three teams will receive automatic bids into the Concacaf Champions Cup with a chance to represent the Confederation at the FIFA Club World Cup.

“I don’t think that in Europe they would have accepted something like that,” said André-Pierre Gignac, the French forward who joined Liga MX Tigres from Club Marseille in 2015.

“It’s part of the show that the United States puts on and that’s cool, but the Leagues Cup is the beginning of a project that must improve,” said Gigac, who also played in Wednesday’s All-Star Game.

MLS teams are eight games away from completing their 34-game regular season, while Liga MX has just started its season with four matches on the books.

FC Dallas begins play in the Leagues Cup on Saturday, visiting St. Louis City SC.

On Wednesday, FCD will host FC Juárez, an incoming Liga MX team.

League Cup play will cut short a good run FCD has shown since Peter Luccin was appointed head coach on June 9, replacing Nico Estévez. But the interim coach praised the tournament.

“For me, the Leagues Cup is a fabulous tournament,” said Luccin, who took over FC Dallas when the team was second to last in the Western Conference, with just 14 points after 16 matches.

At the time of the All-Star break, FCD is fighting to get into the playoffs. It is in 11th place in its conference with 30 points. The nine best teams in each conference advance to the postseason.

“To be honest, I love the Leagues Cup because it is an opportunity for us to compete against Mexican teams that have a very good level and it helps us grow and learn,” Luccin said.

For FCD attacker Paul Arriola, the Leagues Cup adds more positive than negative things.

“I don’t have anything bad to say about playing the tournament between both Leagues,” said Arriola, who likes the rivalry brewing between the MLS and Liga MX.

“Both leagues are fighting to show which one is the best, and that is very good. I understand that some may not like this tournament, but for us, it is a great opportunity to compete at another level and try to win a trophy for the club.”

The most substantial criticism of the Leagues Cup comes from the Liga MX teams, which will be on tour for a month, playing games in MLS stadiums.

“It would be nice if MLS teams were also able to play in Mexico in different climates, altitudes, and fields; that would be more fair,” Gignac said.

In its first year, the Leagues Cup was a success largely due to Lionel Messi’s arrival in the MLS.

The Argentine star arrived last summer at Inter Miami CF, and the Leagues Cup served as the setting for his first appearances as an MLS player, including his visit to Toyota Stadium to play a knockout match against FCD.

The Aug. 6, 2023 game was epic. Led by two Messi goals, Inter Miami beat FC Dallas 5-3 on penalties after a wild 4-4 tie in regulation. Inter Miami eventually won last year’s Leagues Cup.

“It was a spectacular atmosphere that day here at Toyota Stadium,” Luccin said about the game against Inter Miami.

“That’s why the Leagues Cup is a very positive thing. It is a tournament that benefits fans who enjoy watching different teams and players, and we, as players and coaches, like to play it because we love to compete at the highest level.”

Find more FC Dallas coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.

From established starters to players expected to take on a more significant role in 2024, there is no shortage of things to watch as training camp for the Dallas Cowboys gets underway in Oxnard, California.

While it’s fun to watch the starters reprise their roles from a season ago and settle in, it’s even more interesting to keep an eye on the ones who are expected to step up and make more of an impact than they have in the past with the organization, or that are rookies who are being counted on right away.

Today, we are going to take a look at a handful of players to watch on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball who need to step up their game in training camp.

DEFENSE

DT Mazi Smith

Just about anyway you look at it, Mazi Smith’s rookie season was a disappointment last year. The former first-round pick had minimal impact in the middle of Dallas’ defensive front a season ago, but despite that he is expected to take a significant step forward entering his sophomore season. Mike Zimmer’s defensive scheme relies pretty heavily on a space-eating, run-stopper and needs Smith to prove he’s that player in training camp.

DE Sam Williams

With both Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler following Dan Quinn to Washington in free agency, a lot more is expected of Sam Williams heading into his third season with the Cowboys. Up until this point of his career he’s really only showed flashes of his potential, but now has the opportunity to shine in what is expected to be a much bigger defensive role behind DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons. Consistency will be key for him.

CB Caelen Carson

In Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, and Jourdan Lewis the Cowboys have a really good trio at cornerback heading into the 2024 season. What they don’t have though is a reliable backup on the outside or in the slot. Caelen Carson has that inside/out versatility and is probably currently the favorite to emerge as the CB4 on the depth chart, but will need a strong training camp/preseason to lockdown that important job.

LB DeMarvion Overshown

Despite his rookie season being cut short abruptly due to a season-ending knee injury in the second preseason game last year, big things are expected from DeMarvion Overshown this year. He looks noticeably bigger and stronger entering training camp and is expected to push for a starting job in 2024. If he can hit the ground running he should help solidify the LB position.

OFFENSE

OC Cooper Beebe

Despite never playing a single snap at center during his time at Kansas State, Cooper Beebe is expected to replace Tyler Biadasz as the Cowboys new starting OC as a rookie in 2024. Being sandwiched between Zack Martin and Tyler Smith will certainly help transition to a new position, but from setting up the pre-snap adjustments to snapping the ball he still has a lot to learn in training camp.

LT Tyler Guyton

There may not be another player on the Cowboys entire roster who needs to step up in training camp more than Tyler Guyton. Dallas really needs to get the 29th overall pick in the first-round this year up to speed as quickly as possible as their new blindside protector. Replacing someone like Tyron Smith won’t be easy, but the Cowboys season probably depends on how well he performs in his rookie year.

WR Jalen Tolbert

Jalen Tolbert is the favorite to win the WR3 job behind CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks right now, but will really need to step up his game in training camp to hold off his competitors. The opportunity has never been better for him to be a key factor in Dallas’ aerial attack. He’ll need to build a rapport with QB Dak Prescott to prove he can be a consistent and reliable weapon in training camp to secure the WR3 job.

TE Luke Schoonmaker

The main thing Luke Schoonmaker needs to do in training camp is to get healthy and stay that way. Injuries hampered his development and production last season and if that carries over into Year 2, he could find himself losing his TE2 job. If he can put his health issues behind him that alone should elevate his game and potentially help him become a bigger factor in the Cowboys offensive game plan in 2024.