Can CeeDee Lamb lead a 2025 Cowboys rebound? With new weapon George Pickens and a healthy Dak Prescott, Dallas looks to erase its 7-10 2024 season.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
As the summer lull settles over North Texas, the Dallas Cowboys are a franchise simmering with anticipation and haunted by the ghosts of a 7-10 season. But this isn't the same team that stumbled in 2024. With new head coach Brian Schottenheimer at the helm and a new offensive weapon in George Pickens, the focus is squarely on a rebound. The biggest beneficiary? All signs point to CeeDee Lamb, who is already being tabbed for a historic, record-breaking season.
NFL reporter Jeffri Chadiha predicts that CeeDee Lamb could set a new single-season receptions record in 2025.
After a solid but not spectacular 2024 campaign (101 catches, 1,194 yards, six TDs), CeeDee Lamb is poised for an explosion. The trade for former Steeler George Pickens gives Dallas a legitimate deep threat to line up opposite Lamb, preventing defenses from keying in on #88. NFL reporter Jeffri Chadiha is already buying the hype, predicting Lamb could shatter the Cowboys' single-season receptions record. This offensive revitalization is critical for Dak Prescott, who is looking to bounce back from a hamstring injury that cut his 2024 season short. His leadership remains unquestioned in the locker room; in a lighthearted moment, teammates unanimously named the father of two as the team's 'designated babysitter,' a testament to the trust he commands. Now, he needs to translate that trust into wins.
While the offense is generating buzz, the defense remains a major question mark. The unit, which ranked a dismal 29th against the run and 21st against the pass last season, is already battling the injury bug. Key cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. is questionable for Week 1 with a knee injury, and he's not alone on the list, which includes kicker Brandon Aubrey and defensive backs Markquese Bell and Caelen Carson. To shore up a thin secondary, the Cowboys signed veteran corner Robert Rochell to a one-year deal. Rochell, who has experience with the Packers and Rams, will compete for a depth role, but his signing underscores the urgent need for healthy bodies on the defensive side of the ball.
In a major off-field victory for the organization, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders secured a monumental 400% pay raise for the upcoming season. The news, revealed on the hit Netflix series 'America's Sweethearts,' was met with joy and relief by veteran cheerleaders who have long advocated for better compensation. The move reinforces the Cowboys' brand as a first-class organization, even as the football team works to regain its elite status on the field. It's a clear win that brings positive headlines to a franchise hungry for them.
The Cowboys enter the pre-season as a team of compelling contrasts. On one hand, an offense retooled for explosive potential. On the other, a defense patched with new faces and praying for quick recoveries. The vibes are a mix of high expectations and deep uncertainty, but one thing is for sure: with training camp on the horizon, the time for talk is almost over. All eyes will be on whether this high-stakes gamble on offensive firepower can truly erase the memory of 7-10.
