FRISCO, Texas — Players voted Kenny Clark a Dallas Cowboys team captain for 2026 in his second season with the club. He also sits on the leadership council.
“It’s huge. Something that you never take for granted and always appreciative of my teammates viewing me as a leader,” Clark said. “So my standard every day is just coming up and showing the guys who I am and proving that every day.”
Clark and Quinnen Williams were the two new captains, joining Dak Prescott and Brandon Aubrey. Both defensive tackles arrived within the last 13 months. Clark came by trade ahead of last season and Williams followed in early November. They have a combined seven Pro Bowl selections.
The leadership council includes Javonte Williams, CeeDee Lamb, Jake Ferguson, Tyler Smith, Tyler Booker, Jalen Thompson, Rashan Gary, and Bryan Anger.
Kenny Clark On The Dallas Cowboys Standard And Brian Schottenheimer’s First Message
Clark said it has been a long offseason and that he is happy to get back to this point healthy and ready to go.
“Just taking it one day at a time and just lock in on the preparation,” Clark explained. “Lock in on our standard and everything that we spoke about and get it going.”
Monday was a bonus practice day and the first team meeting of the week. Dallas is off Tuesday and returns Wednesday to install the first- and second-down plan, with Thursday and Friday to follow.
Clark said the physical training camp was iron sharpening iron, and that he is glad the work now turns toward the New York Giants.
The Dallas Cowboys Roster Kenny Clark Was Voted To Lead
Clark spent nine seasons in Green Bay before the trade. Dallas restructured his contract in the same window it reworked deals for DaRon Bland and Ferguson, clearing more than $19 million in cap space.
Christian Parker took over the defense this offseason. He replaced Matt Eberflus, whose unit allowed 30.1 points per game in 2025, a franchise record, along with 511 points and 60 touchdowns, both league worsts.
The Cowboys signed Quinnen Williams to a three-year, $105.9 million extension on Aug. 10. Gary came over from the Green Bay Packers. Malachi Lawrence was the first-round pick in April and Donovan Ezeiruaku is in his second season. Von Miller signed a one-year deal on Aug. 16, and Brian Schottenheimer said Monday he sees no physical reason Miller could not play Sunday.
Thompson signed a three-year, $33 million deal and joins Bland, Caleb Downs, and Malik Hooker in the secondary. Dee Winters and DeMarvion Overshown are the linebackers Schottenheimer named for speed.
Dallas set its initial 53-man roster on Aug. 30 with 24 players on offense, 26 on defense, and 3 specialists. The Cowboys finished 7-9-1 and have missed the playoffs two years running.
Clark opens against Jaxson Dart, who is entering his second season, and a Giants offense run by Matt Nagy under John Harbaugh. Cam Skattebo is in the backfield.
Kickoff is 7:20 p.m. CT Sunday on NBC at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
