The Dallas Cowboys didn’t select a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft. But they will have a new signal-caller at rookie minicamp nonetheless — former Western Kentucky’s Maverick McIvor.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Thursday that McIvor accepted an invite to Cowboys rookie minicamp. The quarterback also plans to be at rookie minicamp for the Chicago Bears.
McIvor went 5-2 as a starter at Western Kentucky last season. He also completed 67% of his passes while averaging 7.6 yards per attempt. McIvor threw for 2,062 yards with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Last season was McIvor’s seventh at the college level. He spent three years at Texas Tech and three with Abilene Christian at the FCS level before transferring to Western Kentucky for his final year of eligibility.
In 2024, McIvor threw for 3,828 yards and 30 touchdowns with Abilene Christian.
In addition to not selecting a quarterback, the Cowboys didn’t sign a signal-caller in undrafted free agency either. Unless Dallas makes another move at quarterback, McIvor will be the lone signal-caller at the team’s rookie minicamp.
The camp will occur during either of the first two weekends of May.
Cowboys Invite QB Maverick McIvor to NFL Rookie Minicamp
Anything the Cowboys do pretty much brings headlines. But with McIvor, there will be an extra reason to tune into how things go at Dallas rookie minicamp.
McIvor caused waves with his Cowboys invite acceptance because of his name alone.
“The Cowboys have their rookie minicamp arm, and it’s one of the better names from college football last year,” wrote football content creator Tom Downey.
McIvor will turn 26 years old in August. He’s an old rookie because of the fact he spent seven years in college.
His success the past two years, though, was going to give him a chance to try out for an NFL roster spot. McIvor will get to do that with one of the teams in his home state.
Before playing at Texas Tech, McIvor starred at Central High School in San Angelo, Texas.
The quarterback never played for the Red Raiders. At Abilene Christian and Western Kentucky combined, he posted a 23-17 record as a starter with more than 10,000 passing yards, 75 touchdowns and 27 interceptions.
Dallas QB Depth Chart Entering Offseason Workouts
The Cowboys have a pretty full quarterback room. That makes McIvor a long shot to make the roster.
But he could ultimately be trying out for the entire league — not just Dallas — at the team’s rookie minicamp. He will also have a chance to show what he can do in front of the Bears.
In Dallas, perhaps the Cowboys could find a spot for McIvor on the team’s practice squad during the regular season.
Dak Prescott will return as the team’s starter behind center. Prescott led the NFL in completions last season. He also had 30 touchdowns for the third time in the past five years.
In 2026 NFL free agency, the Cowboys inked veteran Sam Howell to a 1-year deal.
Howell will likely serve as Prescott’s backup. Joe Milton III is also returning for Dallas and appears in line to be the team’s QB3.
The NFL announced Wednesday the Cowboys will hold their rookie minicamp from May 1-3.
Cowboys Get Great News From Rookie Minicamp QB Invite: Report