Rounding Up Cowboys' Rumors, Buzz Amid 2022 Training Camp

As is tradition, the Dallas Cowboys have descended upon Oxnard, California for the 2022 edition of training camp.

The first practice officially goes down on Wednesday afternoon, with the camp set to finish in Oxnard on August 10.

The Cowboys finally will get to put everything together and see what the team looks like after a busy offseason. The roster has undergone some major changes, and training camp will offer the first look at what we can expect from the team this season.

As always, Dallas finds itself in the news cycle. Everything from a former player interested in returning to owner Jerry Jones weighing in on this year's team, here's a quick roundup of the latest buzz and rumors before camp begins.

Cole Beasley Open to a Reunion

Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 19: Cole Beasley #11 of the Buffalo Bills during the game against the Carolina Panthers at Highmark Stadium on December 19, 2021 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images)

Before Cole Beasley spent the last three seasons as a security blanket for Josh Allen through his ascent at quarterback, he was a mainstay in Dallas.

The 33-year-old called Dallas home as a collegian, where he played for SMU, and as a pro. He spent seven seasons with the Cowboys and registered at least 50 catches and 500 yards in three of them.

Now Beasley finds himself as a free agent and he's interested in a homecoming.

Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported the wide receiver has multiple teams interested in him but is taking a "patient" approach to free agency.

Beasley took to social media to make it known he wouldn't be opposed to rejoining his former squad, "To play with Dak."

He would be an intriguing fit with what the Cowboys have right now. CeeDee Lamb is dangerous in the slot but can play outside as well. Michael Gallup is still recovering from a torn ACL. Jalen Tolbert and James Washington are more suited to be deep threats.

If the Cowboys want to add someone who can diversify their options at receiver, they may want to give Beasley a call.

Jerry Jones Lays Out Expectations for 2022

AP Photo/Gus Ruelas

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, left and owner Jerry Jones, right, react as they take questions from the media at the start of NFL football training camp, Tuesday, July 26, 2022, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)

Jerry Jones has never been one to shy away from sharing his opinion. That hasn't changed at the age of 79.

Jones turns 80 on October 13 but has yet to win a Super Bowl in 26 years of owning the Cowboys. While he certainly wants to break that streak this season, he also has a slightly lower bar for head coach Mike McCarthy and this year's team.

"Well, I need to win it. I need to win it, but I'll be candid with you, there's degrees. I want to be fair to everybody concerned," Jones told reporters. "We need to be in the playoffs. We need to be viable in the playoffs for it to be a successful season."

"Viable in the playoffs" is an interesting phrase. The Cowboys were one-and-done in the postseason last year, but they lost a one-score game to a team that ended up going to the NFC Championship: the San Francisco 49ers.

If Dallas happens to see its season end in a similar fashion in 2022, this mostly innocuous preseason quote could wind up being foreboding words.

Cowboys Have Interest in Anthony Barr

AP Photo/Stacy Bengs

Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Anthony Barr (55) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021 in Minneapolis. Minnesota won 36-28. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

With training camp starting, most of the player-movement news is going to be about names getting cut. After all, teams have to get their rosters down from 90 to 53 over the coming weeks.

Still, there are some free agents who are hoping training camp will convince a team to make a move for their services.

Among those is linebacker Anthony Barr, who had 72 tackles, 2.5 sacks and three tackles for loss in 11 games with the Vikings last season but has yet to find a home.

Outside of Leighton Vander Esch, the Cowboys are thin when it comes to experienced linebackers. It makes sense the team would have at least a passing interest in the veteran.

Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News confirmed that idea, noting the Cowboys have had a "summer-long" interest in Barr but there are no plans to sign him "at this stage."

That may mean the Cowboys are out, but it could also mean they are only out at the moment.

With young linebackers like Jabril Cox and Devin Harper trying to earn their stripes in camp, Dallas might just be taking a wait-and-see approach at the position.