Dallas Cowboys Face Tough Offseason Decisions Amid High Expectations

A Franchise Under Pressure
The Dallas Cowboys find themselves in an unenviable position heading into the 2025 NFL season. Despite boasting one of the league’s most talented rosters, they remain stuck as the third-best team in their own division. With both the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers competing in last season’s NFC Championship Game, the Cowboys must navigate a tricky offseason with limited financial flexibility and growing skepticism from their fanbase.

New Leadership, Same Concerns
Dallas enters the season with Brian Schottenheimer at the helm, but his appointment has done little to inspire confidence. The once-iconic rallying cry of “How ’bout them Cowboys?” has been replaced by a much more uncertain sentiment—”What the hell is up with these Cowboys?” The franchise’s inability to take the next step in the postseason, despite having an MVP runner-up quarterback in Dak Prescott, a dominant wide receiver in CeeDee Lamb, and a generational pass rusher in Micah Parsons, has left fans frustrated and questioning the direction of the team.

The Draft Could Hold the Answer
With limited cap space to make significant free-agent moves, the Cowboys must look to the NFL Draft to make a meaningful impact. According to ESPN’s Field Yates, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty could be a prime target if he’s available when Dallas is on the clock at No. 12. While the Cowboys have already reached an agreement with Javonte Williams, drafting Jeanty would give them an explosive, game-changing playmaker to reinvigorate their offense.

Will Jeanty Still Be Available?
The biggest question isn’t whether the Cowboys need another running back—they do—but whether Jeanty will still be on the board when their turn comes. The first two weeks of March have made his availability at No. 12 seem less likely. The Las Vegas Raiders’ acquisition of Geno Smith and the Chicago Bears’ aggressive overhaul of their offensive and defensive lines put both teams in prime position to draft Jeanty before Dallas can make a move.

A Legacy of First-Round Running Backs
If the Cowboys do land Jeanty—or pivot to North Carolina’s Omariom Hampton in his absence—it would mark the fifth time in 50 years that Dallas has used a first-round pick on a running back. The list includes legendary names like Tony Dorsett (1977), Emmitt Smith (1990), and Ezekiel Elliott (2016), as well as Felix Jones (2008). Given the Cowboys’ historical success with elite running backs, investing in Jeanty could be a move that pays dividends for years to come.

A Defining Moment for Dallas
The pressure is mounting for Jerry Jones and the Cowboys’ front office to get this offseason right. With high expectations, a frustrated fanbase, and an ultra-competitive NFC, Dallas cannot afford to stand still. Whether it’s through the draft, trades, or unexpected moves in free agency, the Cowboys must find a way to take the next step—or risk another year of disappointment.