$97 million investment, 1st-round pick, among 3 Cowboys under most pressure in 2025

USA Today

6 days ago

From contract years to injury comeback attempts, these Cowboys players are under the microscope heading into a pivotal season.
Training camp is just around the corner for the 66th edition of the Dallas Cowboys, and once again, America's Team enters the summer spotlight carrying sky-high expectations.
The 2025 season has a different feel to it. Owner Jerry Jones ushered in a new era in January with the hiring of head coach Brian Schottenheimer, who replaced Mike McCarthy after five seasons. Along with the appointed Schottenheimer comes new faces on the staff and several newcomers to the roster.
While these changes and editions will look to help steer Dallas back to its winning ways after a disappointing 7-10 campaign a year ago, the familiar names who have been in the building will be counted on more than ever to lead the turnaround.
For some of those names it may feel like the pressure is mounting and that 2025 could be the last chance to prove worthy of being around longer.
Here is a look at three Cowboys facing the heat ahead of the new season.
WR Jalen Tolbert
The 2025 season is Tolbert's final under his rookie contract. Dallas selected the veteran wideout in the third-round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of South Alabama.
Since entering the league, Tolbert has been tasked with playing the role of Dallas' No. 3 option at WR with the one and two spots set in place. Since his rookie year, he has recorded just 73 receptions for 890 yards and nine touchdowns.
Despite the lack of production, there is a silver lining; Tolbert is coming off a 2024 season in which he totaled career highs in receptions (49), receiving yards (610), and touchdowns (7). The production could continue to see a turn in the right direction with a now healthy CeeDee Lamb, and the addition of George Pickens could lead to the 26-year-old getting more one-on-one looks during the season.
In this league, chances come often for some, while others may have one shot at proving they belong. For Tolbert, Year 4 has the clear feeling that this could be his final attempt to prove he can be a consistent target.
OT Tyler Guyton
It may be just his second season, but the pressure has already mounted on second-year left tackle Tyler Guyton.
Right out of the gate, the former 2024 first-round pick was tasked with transitioning from right to left tackle and replacing franchise legend and future hall of famer Tyron Smith.
Guyton went through growing pains as a first-year tackle. Per Pro Football Focus, the 6-foot-7, 322-pound blind-side protector finished with an overall grade of 49.4, which ranked 115th of 140 tackles. Furthermore, he ranked 81st in pass protection and 116th as a run blocker. Additionally, he allowed six sacks and 26 pressures and committed 18 penalties across 15 games played with 11 starts.
As a result, the Cowboys benched him mid-way through last season in favor of Chuma Edoga and Asim Richards.
Now entering his second season and under the direction of new offensive line coach Conor Riley, Guyton will look to turn things around quickly and prove the Cowboys have their post-Tyron Smith replacement. More importantly, he will be tasked with keeping quarterback Dak Prescott upright and healthy, with the veteran signal-caller returning from a season-ending hamstring injury last November.
CB Trevon Diggs
Throughout his Cowboy tenure, Trevon Diggs has been a fan favorite and one of the team's top defensive players. Diggs emerged onto the scene during his second season in 2021, snagging a league-high and franchise-record 11 interceptions.
Overall, the All-Pro has recorded 215 tackles, 20 interceptions, and 63 pass deflections over his first five seasons.
So, what seems to be the issue?
A high-priced contract coupled with major injuries which has led to lost time.
Before the start of the 2023 season, the Cowboys rewarded Diggs' strong play with a five–year, $97 million contract extension. Since then, the two-time Pro Bowler has missed 21 games over the past two seasons due to an ACL tear in 2023 and season-ending surgery last December to repair a knee injury in the same leg that he tore his ACL from the year prior.
Even when healthy in 2024, Diggs had trouble finding his rhythm. In 11 games, he posted an overall PFF grade of just 56.6—ranking 145th out of 222 qualified cornerbacks, finishing 120th in pass coverage. He also gave up an 89.3 passer rating and allowed 11.2 yards per reception.
Time may be catching up with the former 2020 second-rounder. If injuries continue to pile up, Dallas could be forced to make a tough financial call on their star corner. Diggs carries cap hits of $18.4 million in 2026, $23.4 million in 2027, and $21 million in 2028, numbers that will be hard to justify without consistent production.
While Diggs is hoping for a Week 1 return, the Cowboys are hoping to see their ball-hawk corner regain his All-Pro form and stay consistent within his health, while fans are eager to see him and his All-Pro counterpart Daron Bland on the field together for an entire season.
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