With the football season approaching rapidly, the Dallas Cowboys are gearing up to leave for training camp in less than a month. This marks the beginning of Brian Schottenheimer’s first full season as offensive coordinator, providing the earliest look at how his strategies will integrate with the revamped roster and coaching staff. Fans and analysts alike are eager to discover how the 2025 Cowboys will shape up on the field.
Exploring Unanswered Questions for the 2025 Season
As the regular season nears, several pressing inquiries linger about the team’s direction. A group of staff writers, including Patrik Walker, Tommy Yarrish, Nick Eatman, Mickey Spagnola, Kyle Youmans, and Kurt Daniels, have identified key issues that need addressing. Among these is the potential evolution of KaVontae Turpin’s role, a player who has made headlines as a Pro Bowl return specialist the past two years and recently secured a new contract with the team.
Will KaVontae Turpin See an Expanded Role in the Offense?
Turpin’s status as one of the NFL’s most dangerous players in open space is well recognized, yet his offensive usage has often been limited. Nick Eatman notes,
“I think he’s one of the most dangerous players in all of the NFL, when he’s in space. That’s the problem sometimes – getting him the ball with enough room to do something.”
Despite this challenge, Schottenheimer’s arrival appeared to increase Turpin’s touches late last season, including runs between the tackles, signifying a possible shift in how the offense deploys him.
Nick further explains Turpin’s hybrid skill set, describing him as neither a traditional wide receiver nor a running back but rather a blend of both roles. The upcoming kickoff rule changes also present new opportunities. With touchbacks now potentially placing the ball at the 35-yard line, returns might become more frequent, which could allow Turpin more space to create explosive plays.
“He’s such a weapon but the Cowboys need to figure out how to use him better,”
Nick emphasizes.
Patrik Walker’s Perspective: Balancing Turpin’s Role Amid New Talent
Patrik Walker expresses strong interest in how Turpin’s role might develop and acknowledges glimpses of increased offensive use over the last two seasons. He points to Turpin’s speed and elusiveness as qualities that have recently forced defenses to adjust, culminating in what Patrik calls a
“career season for him on that side of the ball in 2024.”
However, the team‘s acquisition of receiver George Pickens complicates the outlook for Turpin’s offensive touches. Patrik suggests this addition could limit Turpin’s role predominantly to spot duty behind CeeDee Lamb, Pickens, and Jalen Tolbert.
Despite Turpin’s multi-year deal as a return specialist, Patrik advocates for a greater offensive role, believing his talents should extend beyond occasional jet sweeps and outlet passes. He hopes the Cowboys find ways to increase his involvement within the offense to fully tap his potential impact.
Implications for the 2025 Cowboys Offense
KaVontae Turpin’s new role sits at the intersection of evolving team strategy and innovative offensive schemes under Brian Schottenheimer. His dual threat as a returner and versatile offensive weapon makes him a unique asset, especially with the new kickoff rules altering game dynamics. While competition from new additions like George Pickens may limit Turpin’s snap count, the coaching staff appears interested in leveraging his agility and speed to generate mismatches.
As training camp unfolds at Oxnard, observers will closely watch how Turpin’s responsibilities expand or shift within the offense. The decisions made in the coming weeks could determine if Turpin’s capabilities finally reach their full explosive potential in the Cowboys’ 2025 campaign, impacting both their special teams and offensive production.