What has been the most surprising thing about the Cowboys offseason in your opinion?
We’re still only in March in this 2025 offseason, but that hasn’t left us without news to discuss. Today we’re going to look at the five most surprising decisions that the Dallas Cowboys have made and the likelihood that those moves, or non-moves, could change between now and the start of the season.
Keeping Donovan Wilson
There was a lot of speculation that the veteran safety would be a salary cap casualty. Dallas could clear about $5 million in space by cutting Wilson outright. But instead, they’ve created ample cap relief by restructuring contracts for QB Dak Prescott and WR CeeDee Lamb. With still close to $40 million available, it’s unlikely that the Cowboys still have enough moves coming that they would need to sacrifice Wilson.
What made it especially surprising is that Dallas also re-signed Markquese Bell to a three-year, $9 million deal. Going into the offseason, it felt like either Bell would be allowed to walk or Wilson would be released to allow Bell and Juanyeh Thomas to compete for a starting job. But now all of them, plus Malik Hooker, are currently set to return in 2025.
Granted, we’re still early in the process and Wilson could yet be cut. If the Cowboys come out of the draft with a safety who’s guaranteed to make the team, Wilson may suddenly feel more expendable. But barring that, he should be back to try to fight off the young prospects in training camp.
Promoting Brian Schottenheimer
Mike McCarthy’s exit was not the surprising part. It was speculated even before 2024 and the front office almost manufactured it by how they handled the roster in his lame duck season. But nobody had Brian Schottenheimer taking over when it all started, and yet he became the 10th head coach in Cowboys history.
From the wild ideas like Deion Sanders, Jason Witten, or Bill Belichick to more realistic, predictable options like Kellen Moore or Robert Saleh, plenty of names were being discussed before Schottenheimer entered the chat. If anyone was going to be promoted from the previous coaching staff, Mike Zimmer seemed like the guy.
There’s plenty of debate over what prompted Schottenheimer’s promotion. Was it merit or was he the only guy who didn’t turn the Jones family down? We may never know. But it’s clear that he has the support of the players, particularly Dak Prescott, so that no doubt played a major factor in the decision. The onus is now on Schottenheimer to show he’s not all talk but can truly bring about schematic, strategic changes which maximize the team’s talent.
Signing Miles Sanders
Just a few days after the Cowboys signed RB Javonte Williams, they added another veteran in Sanders. While Williams presents some intrigue as part of the backfield rotation, the older Sanders feels like an odd move and unlikely to even make the roster.
Certainly, Dallas was still expected to pursue another RB after signing Williams. But that meant a true starter to replace Rico Dowdle, who coincidentally signed with Sanders’ former team in Carolina. Turning 28 this May and having had little impact in two years with the Panthers, Sanders is hardly a guy who walks in with starting expectations.
This feels reminiscent of when Dallas signed veteran Royce Freeman last year. It made a little more sense before they reunited with Ezekiel Elliott two weeks later, but once Zeke returned Freeman was reduced to little more than a camp body. That proved true when he was released in late August. Assuming the Cowboys come out of the draft with a significant RB addition, Sanders’ only perceived shot at making the team will be due to injuries.
Not Adding a Backup QB
With Cooper Rush now in Baltimore and Trey Lance still a free agent, Dallas hasn’t really addressed its QB depth chart. Right now, Will Grier is the only passer behind Dak Prescott. The big question is if the Cowboys are content with Grier as QB2 or if more moves are still to come.
The lack of action so far may just be about timing. The draft is an opportunity for Dallas to add a new QB, and there are usually veteran backups looking for work in the months leading up to camp. Lance might be one of them. So it could just be that Dallas is waiting for the draft and the post-draft market.
Signing Parris Campbell
Everyone knows the Cowboys need more firepower at wide receiver, but Campbell has been a dud since being a second-round pick in 2019. Turning 28 this summer, it’s hard to see how he fits into the mix even as a depth option.
Cambell’s best year was in 2022 as a starter for the Colts; 63 catches for 623 yards and three touchdowns as the second option behind Michael Pittman. Matt Eberflus was Indianapolis’ defensive coordinator back then, but it’s pure speculation to assume he influenced bringing Campbell to the Cowboys now.
Even if Dallas doesn’t add a new WR in the draft, Campbell will have a tough time making the roster. Three spots are clearly spoken for with CeeDee Lamb, Jalen Tolbert, and KaVontae Turpin. Then you have younger prospects like Jonathan Mingo, Jalen Brooks, and Ryan Flournoy who presumably offer more upside. Scouts obviously had higher hopes for Campbell back when he was a second-round pick, but in the last two years he’s barely gotten on the field with the Giants and Eagles.
