The Dallas Cowboys enter the 2025 season with high expectations under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer. However, former coach Jimmy Johnson has pinpointed a critical concern: the team’s lack of depth could create major challenges if injuries strike key players.
Johnson emphasized that the Cowboys’ roster is heavily reliant on its stars, with significant portions of the salary cap tied up in Dak Prescott , CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons. This top-heavy structure limits resources to build depth, leaving the team vulnerable if starters miss time. The issue is further compounded by a demanding late-season schedule featuring six playoff teams in just over a month.
The Cowboys’ schedule includes a brutal stretch with back-to-back matchups against Super Bowl contenders like the Philadelphia Eaglers and Kansas City Chiefs, followed by games against the Detroit, Minnesota Vikings, and Los Angeles Chargers. Johnson, who knows the importance of strong December performances, warns that the lack of depth could derail the team’s postseason ambitions if injuries occur during this critical period.
While Dallas boasts elite talent, the team’s ability to withstand the physical toll of the season may ultimately determine its success. Johnson’s advice underscores the importance of keeping the roster healthy, as the margin for error is slim in a league where depth often separates contenders from pretenders.
Johnson highlighted an issue Dallas will possibly face ahead of the 2025 season. This is detailed more in an article by Nick Eatman for the Cowboys’ official website.
“The other thing is, they have a very difficult stretch there toward the end of the season,” Johnson said. “So if they’re not at full strength when they’re playing those top teams – the second half of at the end of the season, it’s going to be a problem. So staying healthy is the No. 1 key.”
Schottenheimer’s challenge will be balancing the utilization of his star players while preserving their durability for the season’s toughest stretches. The team’s ability to navigate this tightrope will be critical in overcoming the inherent limitations of its roster construction.
Johnson’s insights serve as a reminder that even the most talented teams require resilience and depth to achieve sustained success. For Dallas, staying healthy is not just a priority; it is the key to unlocking their full potential in 2025.
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