The 2025 NFL offseason has seen the Dallas Cowboys sign some new faces while also reuniting with an old friend.
On Friday, the Cowboys signed free-agent pass rusher Dante Fowler to a one-year contract. The veteran defender spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons with Dallas but left to join the Washington Commanders last offseason when former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn became the NFC East rival's head coach.
Cowboys fans remember Fowler from wearing No. 56, however, things will be different this time around. It was revealed on Tuesday that the former 2015 first-rounder will be wearing a new number that likely spells the end of another player's Dallas tenure.
Cowboys News: Dante Fowler's Jersey Number Means Brandin Cooks Won't Return
It's been confirmed that Fowler will be wearing No. 3 for the 2025 NFL season (h/t @nfl_jersey_num). The number was previously worn by veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks, who's currently looking for a new home in free agency.
Now that Fowler has taken over his digits, it's hard to imagine Cooks re-signing with the Cowboys at any point this offseason.
Dallas Cowboys EDGE Dante Fowler (@dantefowler) is wearing number 3. Last assigned to Brandin Cooks. #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/SGNQYAC1sZ
— NFL Jersey Numbers (@nfl_jersey_num) March 18, 2025
Cooks, 31, has spent the last two seasons in Dallas after being acquired from the Houston Texans during the 2023 offseason. The hope was that the former Oregon State playmaker could operate as the Cowboys' WR2 after the injury-prone Michael Gallup's production began to regress.
Although it was far from his best performance, Cooks played solidly in his first campaign with the Cowboys. He converted 54 receptions into 657 receiving yards in 16 appearances, and his eight touchdown grabs during that stretch were only second to CeeDee Lamb (12), highlighting the trust that Cooks had immediately earned from quarterback Dak Prescott.
Unfortunately, nagging knee issues prevented Cooks from performing similarly in 2024. He only managed to suit up 10 times, finishing with career-lows for catches (26) and yards (259), while his three TDs were his lowest total since he finished with two in 2019. After a showing like that, it isn't shocking that the Cowboys or any other team have had minimal interest in Cooks this offseason.
Hopefully, Fowler can make a bigger impact wearing No. 3 than Cooks.
The 30-year-old disruptor played well for the Cowboys' NFC East rival last season, generating 25 solo tackles, 10.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, one defended pass, and an interception in 17 games (7 starts) with the Commanders. His 65.9 Pro Football Focus pass rush grade was also the 69th-best mark among 211 exterior defenders.
Time will tell how Fowler will look in his Dallas return, as well as if Cooks will find a new team before training camp. In the meantime, the Cowboys will end into the next portion of NFL free agency with the 22nd-best Super Bowl 60 odds (+6500) on FanDuel Sportsbook.
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