ClutchPoints
The Dallas Cowboys prepare will open the 66th edition of their training camp in the midst of transition. The January hiring of Brian Schottenheimer as head coach marked the start of a new era, following Mike McCarthy’s five-year tenure.
They have fresh voices on the coaching staff and several new faces added to the roster. As such, the Cowboys walk into summer camp carrying both the weight of past success and the urgency to return to elite form. America’s Team faces not just a battle on the field but a broader challenge. They need to prove that after a quiet offseason and significant leadership changes, they can deliver on expectations when the regular season unfolds.
The success of the Cowboys’ 2025 season hinges largely on how Schottenheimer performs as head coach. After a lengthy search that saw top candidates sign elsewhere, Dallas took a cautious approach in free agency but nailed their draft.
Still, key questions linger up front. That comes with the retirement of veteran Zack Martin and underwhelming run-defense grades from starters Mazi Smith and Osa Odighizuwa. The trenches will be crucial in a physically demanding season. That includes a tough schedule featuring multiple playoff teams and prime-time games.
With a restructured staff and roster, the Cowboys must quickly find cohesion. Offensively promising but defensively unstable, 2025 is a pivotal year for Dallas. Either Schottenheimer proves he can elevate the team or the franchise risks slipping into mediocrity.
Here we’ll try to look at the Dallas Cowboys player who is under the most pressure as they enter the 2025 NFL season.
DaRon Bland’s 2023 season was nothing short of spectacular. He set an NFL record for most pick-sixes in a single season. He returned five of his nine interceptions for touchdowns, earning both All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. Such an explosive performance marked him as one of the league’s premier defensive playmakers and a cornerstone of Dallas’ secondary. Yet, as the 2024 season unfolded, tragedy struck in the form of a stress fracture in his foot. That sidelined Bland for the first 10 games.
His return was a mixed bag. Despite showing flashes of his former self, Bland appeared limited. His passer rating allowed climbed to a mediocre 105.7 in coverage. Over seven games, he contributed five pass breakups but failed to recapture his previous dominant impact. Now, entering the final year of his rookie contract, Bland faces immense pressure to re-establish himself as a premier shutdown corner and undeniable impact starter.
Bland’s importance extends beyond his personal redemption. Fellow All-Pro and high-profile cornerback Trevon Diggs is recovering from knee surgery. That limits Dallas’s depth and places significant responsibility on Bland’s shoulders. The departure of veteran Jourdan Lewis in free agency has also increased expectations, particularly regarding Bland’s versatility.
Bland reportedly ranks as the Cowboys’ fourth-most critical player heading into 2025. With questions circling the cornerback position,...
