FRISCO, Texas -- The question was posed to coach Brian Schottenheimer in the final week of the Dallas Cowboys' 2025 season.
What kind of jump can linebacker DeMarvion Overshown make in 2026 after being limited to six games last season while recovering from December 2024 surgery to repair the ACL, MCL and PCL in his right knee?
"I hope it's big," coach Brian Schottenheimer said on Jan. 1. "We all know the impact he can have. The type of young man he is and the way that he prepares and works -- I love his play style but I love his leadership. And I think... having a full offseason is something that should have him very excited because of the potential and the talent and the drive and work ethic and all of those things. I think he's made of the right stuff."
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The Cowboys are in the middle of their voluntary offseason program -- organized team activities don't start until June 1 and the mandatory minicamp isn't until June 16 -- but Overshown can already see a benefit he did not have last year or during the 2024 offseason when he was recovering from a torn ACL in his other knee.
"Training to get back from an injury, it's like you're trying to get back to the square one," Overshown said. "You're training to get back to just even. I feel like when I'm healthy and I'm getting the same work as everybody else and I got the same opportunities to work as everybody else, can't nobody outwork me, can't nobody do what I do on the field when I'm healthy.
"So not having to train just to rehab my knee, but actually training football coming into the season, I feel like everybody haven't even seen me."
In those six games last season (218 snaps), Overshown was credited with 35 tackles, one tackle for loss and two quarterback pressures. He was solid, but understandably not as dynamic as he was in the 13 games he played in 2024 when he had 95 tackles, five sacks, three tackles for loss, 16 quarterback pressures, four pass breakups, one forced fumble and one interception, which he returned 23 yards for a touchdown.
But there was a promise former defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus saw that allowed him to think of what Overshown could do in 2026.
"I think he can be outstanding. I think Overshown is a heckuva talent," Eberflus said late last season. "I think he's got that 'Will' linebacker quickness and instincts and striking ability and speed to be able to cover running backs, tight ends and cover space. That's where he is. And I think he's a playmaker. I think he's got a heckuva future."