WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. — Justin Barron intercepted three passes Tuesday as the Dallas Cowboys defense controlled its first work against another team this summer.
One came against Matthew Stafford. The other two came against Stetson Bennett.
The three interceptions were part of a productive afternoon for Dallas against the Los Angeles Rams at Rams Village. Patrik Walker of DallasCowboys.com also credited the Cowboys with more than five would-be sacks during the session.
Shemar James, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Isaiah Land, and Quinnen Williams were among the defenders who generated pressure. Shavon Revel Jr. and Julius Wood broke up passes.
It was a sharp change from what Dallas put on the field last season.
The Cowboys intercepted 6 passes in 17 games in 2025. They allowed a franchise-record 511 points, finished last in the NFL in passing defense, and moved on from defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus after one season.
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Stafford’s quick release presented a different problem than Dallas sees during its daily work in Oxnard.
“We’re a different defense,” Schottenheimer said. “The mentality and the mindset of the defense is different, and that’s great. The Rams challenge you in a lot of different ways. They’re a very, very physical team. [They] run the hell out of the duo play.”
“… Matthew Stafford has an unbelievable ability to get the ball out of his hands fast, and he’s hard to get home on, but a few guys jumped out today,” Schottenheimer continued.
Schottenheimer called the overall work “really good” and singled out Barron’s afternoon after practice.
Justin Barron Turns Three Chances Into Interceptions
Barron arrived in Dallas without a draft pick attached to his name.
The Cowboys signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Syracuse following the 2025 NFL Draft. He spent most of his rookie season on the practice squad before being elevated for the Christmas Day game at Washington. Dallas signed him to the active roster Jan. 3, and he appeared in the final two games of the season.
His college path did not follow a straight line to linebacker.
Barron arrived at Syracuse as a wide receiver before moving to defense. He played in the secondary at safety and nickel before eventually moving closer to the line of scrimmage at linebacker. He earned honorable mention All-ACC honors in each of his final two seasons and was a two-time captain.
He finished his Syracuse career with 293 tackles and 3.5 sacks.
Tuesday put that background to use against two very different quarterbacks.
Stafford enters the season as the reigning NFL MVP and the centerpiece of the Rams offense. Bennett, a 2023 fourth-round pick, has yet to take a regular-season NFL snap.
Barron got both of them.
Dallas’ pressure helped create problems elsewhere. Walker reported that the Cowboys limited much of the Rams’ running game and prevented completions from turning into significant yards after the catch.
Tuesday also marked the third consecutive summer in which Dallas and Los Angeles have held a joint practice. The Rams traveled to Oxnard in 2024 and 2025. This time, the Cowboys made the drive south from their training camp base for their first road joint practice since 2022.
Christian Parker Gets His First Test Against Another Offense
The afternoon gave defensive coordinator Christian Parker his first opportunity to call the Cowboys defense against an NFL offense other than his own.
Parker replaced Eberflus in January after spending the previous two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles as defensive pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach. At 34, he is the youngest defensive coordinator in Cowboys history. It is his first NFL coordinator job.
Dallas had already seen progress against its own offense in Oxnard. The Rams brought Stafford, motion, a physical running game, and a different set of formations and personnel groupings.
DeMarvion Overshown said the Cowboys knew what they were walking into.
“We just looked at it as another opportunity to get better,” Overshown said. “We know Matt Stafford is one of the best in the business, then that wide receiver corps, and then the running backs and the O-line. We knew it wasn’t gonna easy, but we wanted to come in, handle our work, and get back on the bus and not break a sweat.”
“We got some good work in, but I feel like it was good for them to see what we got on our side of the ball as well,” Overshown continued. “I know it’s a complete difference from when they came to Oxnard last year, and definitely had a field day, but it felt good to come out here, and get some wins.”
Overshown appeared in 6 games last season and started 5. He finished with 28 tackles.
The personnel around him has changed considerably since then.
Dallas spent both of its 2026 first-round selections on defense, taking Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at No. 11 and UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence at No. 23. Five of the Cowboys’ seven draft picks were defensive players.
Williams was already in place after Dallas acquired him from the New York Jets at the 2025 trade deadline. The Cowboys sent New York Mazi Smith, a 2026 second-round pick, and a conditional 2027 first-round pick in the deal. Williams made his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl after recording 21 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and an interception in 7 games with Dallas.
On Monday, the Cowboys agreed to a three-year, $105.9 million extension with Williams. The contract includes $63.35 million fully guaranteed at signing and $101 million in total guarantees.
One day later, he was part of the group pressuring Stafford.
DeMarvion Overshown Sees A Different Cowboys Defense
Overshown also watched Parker handle the sideline for the first time against another team.
Parker let Overshown call several plays late in practice. Overshown said their conversations between series matched what he was seeing on the field.
“I saw [Parker] was comfortable,” Overshown explained. “He was calm. He [also] let me call a couple plays there towards the end of practice, to let me see how I felt. I feel like the connection is there. The chemistry is there. We were both saying the same thing on the field, coming to the sideline and talking to him, we were both saying the same thing.”
“It’s good to feel how he is in a simulated game, going against a different opponent, and he’s just like he is in a meeting room — calm, collected,” Overshown continued. “And we were able to go out there and get the job done today.”
Dallas had entered Tuesday viewing the Rams practice as an early measuring point for a defense that has changed its coordinator, scheme, and personnel since last season. Dak Prescott had called the session a chance to see where the Cowboys stood against another team after weeks of competing against each other in Oxnard.
Barron’s three interceptions gave Dallas one answer.
What’s Next For The Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys return to Oxnard following Tuesday’s work.
Dallas has open practices Thursday and Friday before flying to Seattle for its preseason opener against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday. Kickoff at Lumen Field is set for 7 p.m. CT.
The team returns to Oxnard afterward and holds another open practice Monday. Former Cowboys quarterback and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore brings the New Orleans Saints to River Ridge Playing Fields for a joint practice Tuesday, Aug. 18.
Dallas plays at the Arizona Cardinals on Aug. 22 at 9 p.m. CT before returning to North Texas. The Cowboys have open practices Aug. 25 and Aug. 26 at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, then close the preseason against New Orleans at AT&T Stadium on Aug. 28.
