The Dallas Cowboys offense could be in for a big improvement in 2025. Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb are set to return from injuries, and the Cowboys are expected to pursue a better option in the backfield to help their running game. Former offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer is now the head coach, and Klayton Adams is running the offense for the first time in his career.
While a lot of this is good news, the Cowboys do have some holes to fill, including the receiver spot across from Lamb. Jalen Tolbert was Dallas’s second-leading receiver with 610 yards, and Jake Ferguson produced 494 scoreless yards despite a prime opportunity as the team’s top tight end.
But the Cowboys announced their intention to bring back a playmaker on Monday, and it could give him a chance to build off last year’s strong campaign.
Cowboys Tender All-Pro Kick Returner KaVontae Turpin
According to Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News, the Cowboys are placing a second-round tender on wide receiver and kick returner KaVontae Turpin. The 28-year-old is coming off a career season with Dallas, catching 31 passes for 420 yards and two touchdowns, but he also made his second Pro Bowl and his first All-Pro team as a kick returner, leading the NFL with 904 kick return yards and 33.5 yards per kickoff return.
Hearing restricted free agent KaVontae Turpin will get a 2 round tender ($5.34 mil) from Cowboys, unrestricted free agents Carl Lawson and Chauncey Golston might walk. Team wants to retain Bryan Anger and Trent Sieg who are also UFA.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) March 3, 2025
Turpin’s return isn’t about to give the Cowboys a massive weapon, but there is some upside in keeping him. Aside from the value he brings to the return game, Turpin’s offensive snap count increased toward the end of the year, racking up 25 or more snaps in each of the final three games and posting an overall Pro Football Focus grade of 73.3 in the season finale against the Washington Commanders.
The former undrafted free agent also started to get the ball in his hands as part of the Cowboys' rushing attack, carrying the ball 10 times for 76 yards in the final five games.
There is a chance that a creative team could look at Turpin’s speed and create a role for him in their offense. The Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills could both look for playmakers, and the Philadelphia Eagles would love to poach a division rival. But the second-round tender makes that unlikely, as the Cowboys would probably take the pick instead.
While the $5.2 million value may look like a lot for a kick returner, Schottenheimer could look to use him even more this season as a way to jumpstart the Cowboys offense. That and a bigger addition via the draft or through a trade could help Dallas rebound from a tough year and compete in the NFC East.