5 Cowboys Unlikely to Return in 2025 After Poor Start to Season

After a slow start to the current NFL season, don't expect to see these five players back with the Dallas Cowboys in 2025.

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) celebrates his first down run against the Cleveland Browns during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Field. / Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

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3. Linval Joseph, DT

The Cowboys' defensive line has looked rather pedestrian throughout the season and part of that has to do with Linval Joseph's unimpressive play.

Signed to a one-year contract in August, Joseph is currently PFF's worst-ranked interior defender with an overall defense grade of 29.4. The former two-time Pro Bowl DT has struggled to produce with only three solo tackles and a sack through five games. He was brought in to help stop the run, however, his 28.2 run defense grade suggests that he isn't up to that task.

It's unlikely that things will improve from here. Joseph turns 36 on Oct. 10, meaning he's at the age where he'll likely only get worse going forward. The last thing the Cowboys need is for their D-line to get older, so it's hard to justify giving him another contract — especially in his current state.

Unless he plays a key role in helping the Cowboys go on a deep playoff run, the 2024 season will likely be Joseph's only one in Dallas.

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