Cowboys’ Jalen Tolbert Sends Strong Message After ‘Hard Conversation’ With Brian Schottenheimer
The Dallas Cowboys are 1-2-1 with a wacky initial schedule to the season, with the latest 40-40 tie in overtime against the Green Bay Packers. The team has had drama on and off the field. But
Tolbert’s performance in an overtime win against the Packers. The third-year wide receiver had a 34-yard catch that set up a winning overtime field goal. By Next Gen Stats, the pass had a mere 7.2% chance of being completed, one of the lowest such probabilities since 2017.
”This is something you practice, you dream about, you think about all the time, you envision yourself making plays like that,” Tolbert said afterward. ”And so, when it comes, it’s easy for you to do it.”
With his life, Tolbert’s ascent is about more than one catch. “Opportunities will come, and I know what I’m going to do with the opportunities,”
In the Cowboys’ first three games collectively, he had a combined six receptions. Across from the Packers alone, he ended with four receptions for 61 yards, two of which made first downs. To him, his role is outside of receptions, whether he’s blocking, running routes that clear receivers, or even special teams, where he found a niche in 2023.
“I’m always needed in a sense,” Tolbert explained. “And like I said, that’s just whatever role I have that week for practice, that date, that game, that week, whatever it is, whatever that role is, I’m needed in some form or fashion.”
Tolbert’s consistent growth has been years in the making. A third-round selection in 2022, the South Alabama career leader got off to a slow start, getting used to the NFL’s speed. Tolbert began to show it off in 2023, and last season, he delivered with seven touchdown receptions, tops on the club.
With veteran receiver Brandin Cooks out of state, Tolbert set himself up for a potentially expanded role, one that might have him joining the Cowboys’ upper echelon of receiving threats.
Brian Schottenheimer on Jalen Tolbert
Tolbert has performed fantastically on the field, no doubt about it. But his route to getting there has not been free of hitches. Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer admitted that the receiver has survived enough abuse since reporting to the league.
Schotty opened up about Jalen Tolbert’s journey this season, praising the receiver for handling unexpected setbacks with resilience. “I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the fact that he’s been through a lot,”
The Cowboys sent a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for George Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick, immediately shaking up Tolbert’s role. Schottenheimer recalled a tough conversation after the move, noting,
The trade has already paid dividends for Dallas. In four games, Pickens has proven his worth, hauling in 21 catches on 33 targets for 300 yards and four touchdowns. He’s found the end zone against the
For Tolbert, however, the transaction wasn’t a reason to sulk but rather a motivator.
He explained how he worked through camp struggles, leaned into helping Pickens develop, and sharpened the finer details of his game instead of retreating.
That unselfish approach hasn’t gone unnoticed. Dak Prescott praised Tolbert’s leadership, saying, “There’s nobody out there helping George more than he is right now. And that is the best part to see as a quarterback. Understanding how challenging that was for him personally. And he’s out there helping [Pickens] in any moment and any time he needs it. And that’s why he’s going to reap the success. It’s just because he does it the right way.”
Schottenheimer echoed the sentiment, calling Tolbert’s commitment ‘special’. This is a proof that even in a changing depth chart, his value to the Cowboys runs deeper than just box scores.
BREAKING: Dave Canales' Shocking Ultimatum to Panthers — “Lose Again in Week 5 and I Walk”
In an unprecedented move that has shaken the NFL community, Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales has delivered an ultimatum to the team, warning that if they fail to secure a victory in Week 5, he will step down from his position. This bold statement, issued earlier today, has sent shockwaves through both Panthers fans and the football world at large.
After a frustrating start to the season, Canales, who took over the head coach position with high hopes of turning the franchise around, is now facing a critical crossroads. The Panthers have struggled in their first four games, with a 1-3 record, leaving many fans disillusioned and questioning the direction of the team.
"I came here to rebuild a franchise, not babysit losses. If this team can’t prove in Week 5 that we’re capable of fighting back, then I’ll take full accountability and step down as head coach. I refuse to stand on the sideline and watch us sink into mediocrity," Canales said, his tone firm and resolute. The head coach’s decision to make such a public statement has left no room for ambiguity: the pressure is squarely on his team to deliver.
While coaches are no strangers to high-pressure situations, Canales' transparency is rare. Typically, NFL coaches take the "one game at a time" approach, rarely making sweeping statements about their future with the team. However, with the Panthers sitting at a pivotal moment in their rebuilding phase, Canales seems to have decided that his resignation is on the line — and he’s willing to risk it all for the chance to ignite a change in the locker room.
The Panthers' Week 5 matchup is against the Minnesota Vikings, who are also struggling to find their footing this season. Both teams are desperate for a win, but for Canales, the stakes are personal. His ultimatum has set the stage for a game that will be remembered as much for its off-field drama as for what happens on the field.
If the Panthers come up short again, it could mark the end of Canales’ tenure in Carolina. And while the coach’s commitment to accountability and the team's success is clear, the question remains: can the Panthers rally behind their leader when everything is on the line?
While many expected this season to be a tough one for the Panthers, Canales’ willingness to put his career on the line signals his deep belief in the potential of this roster — and his refusal to be part of a losing culture. For Carolina fans, this is a defining moment, and whether or not they can pull off a win in Week 5 will likely determine the future of their head coach and the team’s path forward.
Stay tuned, because if the Panthers fall short this Sunday, Dave Canales may not be the only one walking away.
