The 2025 season could reshape the future of the Dallas Cowboys. For these five key figures, anything short of a playoff run could bring major changes — and maybe even end their time in Dallas.
Cowboys under fire: Who must deliver in 2025 — or Face the Fallout originally appeared on The Sporting News
The Dallas Cowboys enter the 2025 NFL season with expectations sky-high and patience running thin. After yet another year without reaching the NFC Championship, the pressure isn’t just on the players — it’s spread across the entire organization. From the sideline to the front office, here’s who will be feeling the most heat this season.
5. Brian Schottenheimer – The New Era Leader
Schottenheimer steps into his first season as Cowboys head coach with one of the most demanding jobs in sports: delivering postseason success to a franchise starving for it. He inherits a talented roster but also a fan base that has grown impatient. Every decision — from game plans to fourth-down calls — will be dissected. Fair or not, his rookie season as a head coach will be judged by playoff results, not just regular-season wins.
4. CeeDee Lamb – Redemption Season for #88
Last year was a disappointment for both Lamb and the Cowboys. The offense never truly clicked in big moments, and Lamb’s production fell short of expectations for a WR1 due to injuries and roster construction at the wide receiver position. Now, 2025 offers him a chance to rewrite the narrative. If he bounces back with a dominant season, he’ll reestablish himself among the league’s elite. But if he struggles again even with added pieces like George Pickens, the perception of Lamb as a top-tier receiver could take a serious hit — and the conversation about his long-term future in Dallas will get a lot louder.
3. Micah Parsons – Paid Like a Star, Expected to Perform Like One
Parsons has already proven he’s one of the best defensive players in the NFL — his dominance isn’t in question. The pressure comes from the possibility of inking a massive extension before the season and then failing to live up to it. In today’s NFL, big contracts come with even bigger expectations, and if his production dips after getting paid, the criticism will be swift and loud.
2. Dak Prescott – The Last Chance in Dallas?
Prescott signed a contract extension last season but failed to lead the Cowboys to the playoffs, raising serious doubts about his long-term future as the team’s franchise quarterback. Now, 2025 is a make-or-break year. If he can’t guide Dallas back to the postseason, the Cowboys may have no choice but to trade him — setting the stage for a full rebuild at quarterback. The stakes for Prescott have never been higher, and every snap will be under the microscope.
1. Jerry & Stephen Jones – The Front Office Under Fire
At the end of the day, the Jones family sets the tone and builds the roster. They’ve assembled one of the most talented lineups in football, yet the Super Bowl drought now stretches three decades. If this year ends without a deep playoff run, their philosophy — from contract negotiations to coaching hires — will face louder criticism than ever before.
This isn’t just another Cowboys season — it’s a pivotal moment in franchise history. For these five figures, the 2025 campaign could be career-defining.
Category: Football
