7 Dallas Cowboys starters who might play their last down of football for the team in 2025, and how likely they are to return

There are 22 starters on a football team excluding special teams. And out of the projected 2025 starting lineup of the Dallas Cowboys, many of them won't be with the team in 2026. 

That's why I looked at several Cowboys starters that could be playing their last down of football wearing The Star this year. 

Some notes: I listed every projected starter on the team that's set to hit free agency next year, including players acquired this offseason such as George Pickens. Let's dive in.

TE Jake Ferguson

• Return likelihood: 8.5/10

Ferguson is set to be a 2026 free agent and with Micah Parsons' extension likely to be done by then, he'll be a big storyline for the Cowboys offseason that year. This season will go a long way in determining Ferguson's value but the reality is I don't see a scenario in which he isn't a Cowboy in 2026. 

The franchise tag for a tight end is the third-least expensive one around the NFL, so even if negotiations hit a bump, Dallas will have tools to keep him around for one more year. I view a long-term extension as the likeliest outcome, though. 

CB DaRon Bland

• Return likelihood: 7/10

While cornerback tags aren't the priciest either, it would be more challenging to get Bland secured for 2026 and beyond. But considering the Cowboys could move on from Trevon Diggs next year as a cap casualty cut, Bland is likely to be a part of their long-term plans on defense. 

I wonder how feisty negotiations will get as Bland is working out to play in the slot, which is less lucrative than being an outside corner. But ultimately, I think something gets done. 

S Donovan Wilson

• Return likelihood: 3.5/10

All offseason long it felt like Wilson was in danger of being a cap casualty given his $6.5 million salary for the year. That and a group of young promising backups set the stage for a potential cap clearing release. But the Matt Eberflus-led coaching staff seems to like the veteran and he's projected to start in September. 

However, Wilson will be 31 years old in 2026 and the Cowboys will likely be planning to spend most of their money in deals for higher-priority players like Jake Ferguson and DaRon Bland. 

EDGE Dante Fowler Jr. 

• Return likelihood: 5/10

You just never know with a veteran like Fowler on a one-year deal. There's a chance because he isn't even that expensive but there's a scenario where the Cowboys would just rather bet on the younger edge rushers on the roster. 

CB Kaiir Elam

• Return likelihood: 3/10

The Cowboys coaching staff seems to really like Elam but he screams one-year rental. If he plays poorly, Dallas won't bring him back. If he does, I'm not betting on the front office to pay up.

WR George Pickens

• Return likelihood: 3.5/10

Similarly to Elam but to a much bigger extent, a good season from Pickens would raise his price to a number the Cowboys refuse to touch having already paid CeeDee Lamb. There's a scenario in which Pickens has a mediocre season and Dallas might manage to keep him around. But even in that scenario, wouldn't Pickens look for a different stage? 

The two sides didn't want to negotiate a long-term deal following the Cowboys' trade to get him and that's likely for a reason. 

LB Jack Sanborn

• Return likelihood: 7/10

Sanborn is a Matt Eberflus guy and as long as the latter stays as defensive coordinator, I consider the young linebacker a potential long-term player in Dallas. We'll see in what role that is but he's unlikely to break the bank.