The Dallas Cowboys have been conducting voluntary offseason workouts at The Star. They begin organized team activities next week. Those are still considered voluntary. The mandatory portion begins June 16 with the first minicamp practice.It’s been an eventful offseason in Dallas as there have been many changes across the defensive side of the ball. To get you caught up on everything, we have put together an offseason reset.What are the biggest reasons to be optimistic about the 2026 season? What are the biggest reasons to be concerned?“My expectations right now are just to grow every day, grow this brotherhood, build off of what we did last year,” Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott said recently. “Obviously, we’ve had a lot of changes on the defense, so allow those guys to create their identity, support them in getting to know each other and create their culture, and who they want to be. And at the same time, keeping the team culture, and making sure we’re connecting across the ball.“Super excited, just about the first couple of weeks (of offseason workouts), just obviously having some of the vets coming in, (Rashan) Gary, and Year 2 with Quinnen (Williams) and Kenny (Clark). I’m really, really excited for them, getting the young guys we did. They got great vets to look up to. And we’re going to look to build things on our side of the ball and get better. Things are looking great.”Biggest offseason additionsThe top 10 are all on defense, starting with new defensive coordinator Christian Parker. He’s tasked with turning arguably the worst defense in franchise history into something respectable. Although he has no prior experience calling a defense, the early returns are that he’s more than capable of successfully making the transition. His personnel received a significant upgrade when Ohio State standout defensive back Caleb Downs was still on the board with the 11th overall pick. He’s the most notable player the Cowboys added this offseason. Veteran safety Jalen Thompson, Gary and first-round edge rusher Malachi Lawrence round out the top five most notable additions. Others in consideration include linebackers Dee Winters and Jaishawn Barham, cornerbacks Cobie Durant and Derion Kendrick, and defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard.The most notable offensive addition was veteran quarterback Sam Howell, who is expected to compete with Joe Milton for the team’s backup job. Major upgrades were not a significant focus for a group that returns just about everyone from one of the league’s best offenses a year ago.Schedule highlightsThe NFL schedule was released two weeks ago. Dallas’ bye week doesn’t come until Week 14, matching the latest the team has ever had a bye. Two stretches stand out. The first seven games when only two are played at AT&T Stadium. And then Weeks 12 through 15, when the Cowboys host the Philadelphia Eagles on Thanksgiving Day and then travel to face the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams, the teams that played in last season’s NFC Championship Game. The win total over/under for the Cowboys at most sportsbooks is 9.5.Biggest questions1. Can the defense be good enough for the Cowboys to make a playoff run?2. Do they have their answer at left tackle?3. Will George Pickens’ contract situation become a distraction?4. Have they done enough at inside linebacker?5. Can the offense pick up where it left off last season?It’s a much different defense than a year ago. The common belief is that the group has to be better because it can’t be any worse. But how much better? What’s realistic? Top 15 is probably asking for too much. But 20-25 seems doable if they can stay fortunate in the health department.Tyler Guyton is the favorite to remain the starting left tackle. Nate Thomas will compete with him for the starting job. Dallas also drafted Penn State offensive tackle Drew Shelton in the fourth round. If none of those players are the answer, Dallas could be forced to move All-Pro left guard Tyler Smith to left tackle, something everyone would like to avoid if possible.Pickens has not been attending the voluntary portion of the offseason program. It’s unlikely that he’ll be at OTAs. But mandatory minicamp and training camp are another story since he did sign his franchise tag tender. Expect Pickens to be in attendance when it matters. The Cowboys want to see him play out the upcoming season under the tag. Pickens would like a long-term deal. It’s unlikely that this one will get as ugly as last year’s contract standoff between Micah Parsons and Jerry Jones. But it’s a situation that will be closely monitored locally and nationally throughout the next few months. If Pickens and CeeDee Lamb are on the field together, Dallas has what many believe to be the NFL’s best wide receiver duo.Inside linebacker is the one position that still feels like they probably need another veteran. They have yet to determine who will be wearing the green dot on game days. Any defensive coordinator, especially a new one, needs to have great communication with the player in that key role. Winters could potentially be that player, starting alongside DeMarvion Overshown. But don’t be surprised to see the Cowboys add another inside linebacker between now and the start of the regular season.Should everyone assume Dallas’ offense will again be one of the NFL’s best? If the group is healthy, yes. A second season of Brian Schottenheimer calling the plays should be a boost. The Cowboys have a veteran franchise QB with playmakers surrounding him. The interior of the offensive line has a chance to be elite. If the tackle spots can hold up, it could be a monster offensive season. But they also need to stay healthy. For example, everything should be fine with the running game if Javonte Williams is playing every week. But if they were to lose him, the running back depth isn’t great. And if they can’t run, it’s hard to believe the offense will be more effective.Biggest reason to be optimisticOn paper, the defense looks like it should be much better. It doesn’t have to be great for the Cowboys to get back to the playoffs for the first time in three years. And if they get in there relatively healthy, maybe they can be the NFL’s New York Knicks and win the conference finals for the first time since the 1990s.Biggest reason to be pessimisticFor the last 30 years, the Cowboys have made it difficult for anyone to truly believe this is the year. Not even 13-win seasons are enough to escape what almost seems like a curse. Health is the biggest key. If they can avoid too many significant injuries, this seems like a good mix of veterans and youngsters that perhaps they can get the mojo going like 2014 and 2016. The problem there is that even those teams couldn’t make it past the divisional round.