The Dallas Cowboys enter the ‘25 season with a constellation of narratives shaping their fate. Triumphant comebacks, promising rookies, nagging contract issues, and a quest for coaching redemption. At the heart of it all lies a crucial question: Can they harness their talent and overcome adversity to finally shatter that 30-year-old Super Bowl drought? After last season’s disaster, which left Dak Prescott admitting, “We just absolutely s—k right now,” every snap, every decision, and every player’s role has never carried more weight in Dallas’s pursuit of greatness. The stakes are as high as the Cowboys’ expectations, and here are the stakeholders that could make or break it all:

The injury comeback brigade: rallying around recoveries

The hopes of the Cowboys’ defense lean heavily on the resilience of DeMarvion Overshown and Trevon Diggs, two pivotal players battling back from devastating knee injuries.

Overshown, a breakout LB in 2024, suffered a severe knee injury, tearing his ACL, MCL, and PCL late last season. Despite the grim prognosis, Overshown’s latest update injects optimism. His rehab is progressing well, and the Cowboys are upbeat about his chances of returning to action mid-season. The man himself noted recently, “Good news from the Doc! We getting active this szn.” Overshown’s name on the PUP list weighs heavily. He logged 90 tackles, 5 sacks, and even returned an INT for a touchdown in just 13 games last season. That rare blend of pass rush and sideline-to-sideline speed is something the Cowboys will surely need.

Trevon Diggs remains a central figure in the Cowboys’ schemes. The All-Pro CB’s history of impactful plays, 20 Interceptions in five seasons, including a league-leading 11 in 2021, established his value as a defensive disruptor. Despite struggling through an injury that crashed his ‘23 season before it took flight, his prospects looked promising for ‘24. But he struggled through the injury throughout the season until a groin injury kept him out through weeks 12-13. It was later revealed that he has to undergo a knee-repair surgery that would end his season. While he still remains on the PUP list, he noted recently that his rehab is progressing ahead of schedule, and a September return won’t be out of the books just yet.

Adding more worries to the injured, OL Rob Jones also remains sidelined following a training camp disaster. While Jones had steadily emerged as a rock for the offensive line, he sustained a neck injury during a camp drill. As Adam Schefter reported on X, “Jones broke a bone in his neck during Sunday’s practice and now is expected to miss 2-3 months.” This adds more concern to an offensive line already stretched thin, potentially undermining protection schemes and run blocking for Dallas. Jones’ absence will also force greater pressure on rookies like Tyler Booker, who was expected to develop behind the vets.

The rookies: new blood, new hope

In the middle of anticipation and apprehension surrounding veterans, two rookies notably command attention as harbingers of the team’s future. Donovan Ezeiruaku, a second-round DE out of Boston College, has emerged as a camp sensation. Official reports laud him for “flashing on nearly every play,” revealing an ability to impact both the pass rush and run defense early in training camp. Following in the footsteps of Micah Parsons, Ezeiruaku’s explosive playmaking could signal a youthful boost to the Dallas defense hungry for fresh pass-rush energy. He’s notably competing with his peers, and also learning from Parsons, Sam Williams, and Dante Fowler. As far as preparations go, Ezeiruaku notes, “I’ve been ready since OTAs. Ever since they called my name on draft night.”

On offense, Jaydon Blue, a running back noted for his agility and vision, has turned heads at camp as well, earning kudos for making “nice plays” in front of the largest crowd of camp. With question marks on Dallas’s backfield depth, Blue’s development is crucial, particularly his potential role in third-down situations that demand reliable pass-catching and open-field skills. HC Brian Schottenheimer was particularly impressed with Blue through camp. “The speed, the dynamic playmaking ability. I think he’s a dual-threat guy. I think you can hand him the ball. He doesn’t need a lot of space to make people miss, and his acceleration is uncanny.”

These rookies must now navigate a potentially turbulent season. Following veteran injuries and contractual pressures, their emergence could be the difference between a playoff push and a mid-season slide.

Contract situations: the mounting pressure

Star players Micah Parsons and Dak Prescott carry heavy expectations into 2025. Prescott’s mega contract extension has reset the narrative around his leadership. Despite past playoff disappointments, he remains the central figure in the Cowboys’ offense. Returning from injury and entering his 10th NFL season, he will be measured not only by statistics but by his ability to elevate the team in critical moments. The pressure to justify his contract in a conference as competitive as the NFC East is intense. And Prescott has an energy going forward that’s already setting the tone for the roster: “If you don’t want to win a Super Bowl, or don’t think we can win a Super Bowl, then don’t come to Oxnard. You’re in the wrong place. We know the standard when you wear the star. We know the expectations.”

On the other hand, the contract saga continues to spiral for Micah Parsons. The “Pay Micah” chants have only grown louder, and owner Jerry Jones seems to have tuned them out for now. While he waits for a contract that could give him the crown of the highest-paid defender in NFL history, he doesn’t plan on holding out. As the star noted recently, “Nothing can keep me from football. And if you think it can, you’ve never been around me.” Parsons continues his pursuit of defensive dominance and is expected to anchor the Cowboys’ scheme. In the meantime, as Patrick Walker notes, Parsons is struggling through “back tightness” and will be ready to participate with the team when his body allows.

The new face to watch in 2025

The most hyped new acquisition for the Cowboys this offseason remains George Pickens. Pickens, a WR well established for his dynamic playmaking ability, has already earned big votes of confidence from CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott. His adaptation will influence Dallas’s aerial attack and open up the field for other skilled players. Jake Furgeson, for one, is projected to benefit greatly. With both Lamb and Pickens stretching the field, Furgeson will have more opportunities to connect with Prescott for downs. Lamb has already noted he and Pickens will both act as WR1 for Dak Prescott’s offense. The results? Highly anticipated.

Veteran wildcards: the unknowns in the roster

Veteran wide receiver Parris Campbell is one of the wildcards to watch this season. After showing flashes of brilliance across four franchises, Campbell came to Dallas with a one-year, ‘prove it’ deal. But during the training camp drills, he suffered a leg injury and had to be sidelined. As Jon Machota reported, “Cowboys WR Parris Campbell being helped off the field with an apparent leg injury.” The severity of the injury still remains unknown, it still raises immediate concerns about his availability and contribution. His role as a depth piece on offense could be limited, forcing Dallas to adjust.

CeeDee Lamb presents as the other wildcard this season. After a massive holdout last season, he finally inked his $136 million deal, locking him in with the Cowboys till the 2028 season. But the 4x Pro Bowler notably saw a dip in production last season, after coming off a career-best ‘23 season. While his talent is unquestionable, early-season chemistry and conditioning require close observation. Any lingering effects from last season’s holdout or dip in performance could easily disrupt Dallas’ offensive rhythm.

Coaching factor: schemes, stances, and the stakes for Schotty

Though not a player, the Cowboys’ new HC Brian Schottenheimer deserves an honorable mention under the coaching wildcard banner. Having a deep knowledge of the offense’s inner workings will certainly go a long way in proving his stock as a coach. But the underlying question is if he can finally break the pattern of playoff disappointments and bring back the ‘95 Cowboys’ glory. Schotty’s offense boasts a promise of big shifts and mismatches, relying heavily on the run and pass game. As the HC had notably dropped a future sight, “I’m a big believer in shifts and motions to distort things. … We’re going to do a great job of marrying our runs and our passes and make those two the same.”

Jerry Jones, for one, has also praised Schottenheimer’s work, saying he has exceeded expectations in his effort to take the helm. As for Schotty’s first time as an HC, Jones likes those odds as he notes, “I like those bets. I think there’s an extra amount of oomph that you get when it’s the first time.” Schotty’s play-calling, adjustments, and ability to maximize talent will be under intense scrutiny this season. But with a big vote of confidence from the owner, the prospects look promising for now.

For the Cowboys, 2025 entails a season of high stakes, fragile promises, and pivotal developments. The recovery trajectories of Overshown and Diggs, the integration of promising rookies like Ezeiruaku and Blue, and the handling of critical contract situations will all coalesce into a defining narrative for Dallas. Veteran wildcards and coaching skills could tip the scales toward playoff success or another season of unmet expectations. Ultimately, their attempts this season will not just define the 2025 season but potentially set the tone for Dallas’ future as well.