The Dallas Cowboys‘ offense seemed like it was in trouble when star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb went down with an ankle injury in their Week 3 loss to the Chicago Bears, but they responded by dropping 40 points in a Week 4 tie with the Green Bay Packers. Everybody stepped up on offense, including overlooked wide receiver Jalen Tolbert.
It seemed like Tolbert was set to be the No. 2 wide receiver on offense for the Cowboys for much of the offseason, but the team traded for George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers, while also giving KaVontae Turpin more snaps on offense. But after Tolbert turned in his best performance of the young season, head coach Brian Schottenheimer made it clear he still has a role on the team’s offense moving forward.
Brian Schottenheimer Dishes on Jalen Tolbert’s Role
A former third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Tolbert was one of the few bright spots in the Cowboys’ offense last season, as he seemed to solidify himself as the No. 2 option at wide receiver behind Lamb. In 17 games, 15 of which were starts, Tolbert caught 49 passes for 610 yards and seven touchdowns, with all of those figures being the highest marks of his young career.
Dallas’ offense suddenly became more crowded late in the offseason, though, and through four games, Tolbert has just 10 catches for 101 yards. With Lamb and Pickens leading the way, and Turpin also eating into his target share, Tolbert hasn’t been able to get going just yet, which has led to questions about his future with the team popping up.
In Week 4, Tolbert had his best game of the new season, as he hauled in four passes for 61 yards. With Lamb out, Tolbert has had to step up, and he’s done just that. And while Lamb will return at some point soon, Schottenheimer envisions Tolbert remaining a key part of the offense for the rest of the 2025 campaign.
“He’s been through a lot,” Schottenheimer said of Tolbert. “He came in here having visions that he was gonna be the No. 2 … He’s been challenged quite a bit. He and I have had a lot of talks, he’s a special young man … What do I say? Keep being consistent, keep being you, don’t change, and his time is gonna come. Now, his time is coming.”
Cowboys Looking to Get Back in the Win Column in Week 5
(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)ARLINGTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 28: Head coach Brian Schottenheimer of the Dallas Cowboys looks on against the Green Bay Packers before the game at AT&T Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The Cowboys‘ offense has looked quite dangerous to begin the new season, and that’s largely been without everyone firing on all cylinders. If Tolbert can continue to produce even when Lamb returns, that will make a unit that already features one of the best passing attacks in the league even more dangerous moving forward.
While Dallas fought hard to tie Green Bay in Week 4, they could use a win in Week 5. The good news is that they have a favorable matchup on their hands, as they will be taking on the winless New York Jets when they take the field next. Kickoff for this game is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday afternoon.
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