FRISCO, Texas – The football season is approaching rapidly.
The Cowboys are set to leave for training camp in under a month. This will be our first close look at Brian Schottenheimer’s inaugural season with the revamped roster and coaching staff. Once we arrive in Oxnard, we’ll start uncovering key insights about the 2025 Cowboys team.
So, what are the key questions? We’ve gathered our annual list of urgent inquiries needing clarification before the regular season. The writing team, featuring Patrik Walker, Tommy Yarrish, Nick Eatman, Mickey Spagnola, Kyle Youmans, and Kurt Daniels, will weigh in on various critical issues.
To kick off this series, we’ll begin with a focus on KaVontae Turpin, who has earned Pro Bowl honors as a return specialist for the past two years. He signed a new contract during the offseason, but with alterations to the kickoff rule and a new play-caller, will he see an expanded role on offense as well?
20) Will KaVontae Turpin have a new role?
Nick: I certainly hope so. He’s an incredibly dynamic player when given space. The challenge often lies in delivering the ball to him with enough room to make a move. There are indications that Brian Schottenheimer contributed to Turpin receiving more opportunities toward the end of last season, including running plays. I believe Schottenheimer recognizes Turpin’s potential and will ensure he gets ample chances.
Regarding his role, I see him as a hybrid player who blends the characteristics of a wide receiver and running back. Given the proposed changes to kickoff rules, teams starting at the 35 on touchbacks could lead to more return chances for Turpin, giving him further opportunities to showcase his skills. He’s a valuable asset, but the Cowboys need to optimize his usage.
Patrik: This is something I’m very eager to see. It’s no secret I’ve been hoping the Cowboys would utilize Turpin more in their offense. I caught glimpses of this happening over the past two seasons. After initially being overlooked, the team began to recognize that his speed could keep defenses on their toes, resulting in a breakout season for him on offense in 2024. However, with the recent acquisition of George Pickens, it seems Turpin the receiver may have limited opportunities behind Lamb, Pickens, and Tolbert. I believe he deserves more than just occasional plays and hope the Cowboys find ways to get him more involved.
Mickey: I don’t foresee a brand new role for him, but rather an enhanced one. Based on OTA and minicamp practices, it seems Schottenheimer intends to utilize Turpin in the slot more frequently, targeting him in one-on-one scenarios to harness his speed. Remember, Turpin finished fifth last year with 31 receptions for 420 yards and two touchdowns, marking his most prolific season so far. He also had 16 carries for 92 yards—third on the team—averaging 5.8 yards per carry, all on just 26.9 percent of snaps. The Cowboys also re-signed him to a three-year, $13.5 million deal, indicating they expect increased contributions from him moving forward.
Kurt: Last season, Turpin had 47 offensive touches, placing him sixth on the team. It’s likely that players like CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Jake Ferguson, and the lead running back could surpass him in touches this coming season. Therefore, I don’t anticipate a significant increase in Turpin’s offensive opportunities. However, Schottenheimer has mentioned using more motion, which could benefit Turpin and play to his strengths. Even if his offensive role remains limited, he will still be invaluable as one of the NFL’s premier return specialists, where the Cowboys rely on him the most.
