The Dallas Cowboys' offense has the potential to be elite this season following the trade for George Pickens. Dak Prescott finally has two legitimate wide receivers again, but Jalen Tolbert and tight end Jake Ferguson are really capable third and fourth options.
While the 2025 Dallas offense could be special, it is hard not to think about what the wide receiver room will look like next year.
Both Pickens and Tolbert are set to become unrestricted free agents. As far as Tolbert's future, the writing might be on the wall after the Ravens inked wideout Rashod Bateman to a three-year, $36.75 million extension that includes $20 million guaranteed.
Rashod Bateman extension could mean Jalen Tolbert leaves the Cowboys in 2026
Ironically enough, the Cowboys inquired about Bateman before the NFL Draft. Talks didn't go far, however, and Dallas pivoted to Pickens.
Nevertheless, the fact that Bateman got $12 million per year is incredible when you consider he's never had a season with more than 800 receiving yards. He broke out last year with 756 yards and nine touchdowns, but he managed just 1,167 yards and four TDs combined in his first three seasons.
Bateman is undoubtedly a better player than Tolbert, but Tolbert is on a similar trajectory. Very quietly, Tolbert caught 49 passes for 610 yards and seven scores last season. With opposing defenses focusing their attention on CeeDee Lamb and Pickens, Tolbert could be in for another strong year.
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This is simply the state of the WR market.
The likes of Darius Slayton ($12 million per year), Dyami Brown ($10 million per year) and Josh Palmer ($9.66 million) all got nice pay days this offseason. Slayton actually has four seasons with more than 700 receiving yards on his resume, but none of them scream "stud".
Brown in particular has 784 receiving yards and four TDs total in four seasons, while Palmer has only gone over the 700-yard threshold once in four years.
Assuming Tolbert reaches the open market, there will definitely be a team willing to give him $10 million per year. With the Cowboys having to extend Tyler Smith, Brandon Aubrey, Daron Bland and potentially Jake Ferguson, Tolbert may not fit into the puzzle.
Bateman's extension is a timely, albeit unpleasant, reminder that the 2025 season might be Tolbert's last in Dallas.