If the head coach and chief play caller says a certain role player is “a little bit interchangeable” with one of the best wide receivers in the game, that player should probably take that as good news. Really good news. In discussing KaVontae Turpin’s role on the Dallas Cowboys offense in 2025, that’s exactly what new head coach Brian Schottenheimer had to say about his diminutive dynamo.
Turpin, in his fourth season with the Cowboys, has seen his role increase year over year, but to many, it still hasn’t felt like enough. Count Schottenheimer as one of those “many” because he’s been describing a role far greater than the occasion gadget man former head coach Mike McCarthy had cast him as over the years.
Playing on a new three-year, $13,500,000 deal, the Cowboys front office clearly sees a big role for their Pro Bowl kick return man.
“The guy is just a dynamic weapon,” Schottenheimer said of Turpin via Jon Machota at the Athletic. “The things he can do running and catching and the quickness and agility that he has is just different. I feel like we got a much better sense for how we’re using him. Late in practice we kind of moved CeeDee outside and Turp went inside. Those guys are a little bit interchangeable. I think he’s going to have a fabulous year. I really do, in every facet.”
Lamb, of course, is the Cowboys’ highest-paid weapon, inking a $136 million extension prior to 2024.
In addition to playing more snaps in the slot, the Cowboys have also been using Turpin in the backfield. Lining up in the backfield Turpin can be a weapon as a rusher, a motion man, or as a target downfield. He’s a matchup nightmare that can cause fits for defenses trying to match personnel when Dallas goes without a true running back in the huddle.
At 5-foot-9, 153 pounds, durability is obviously a concern with Turpin. His pitch count will need to be managed because the Cowboys don’t want to lose him as a game-changing return man. Based on practice reports, Turpin has been rotating in as a WR3 fairly evenly with Jalen Tolbert and Jonathan Mingo in camp. It’s likely the No. 3 job isn’t a spot for one player to win but rather a timeshare split amongst all three pass catchers.
The drumbeat has been banging loudly and consistently for Turpin all summer making this more than standard training camp hype. It sounds like the real deal. All indications are a breakout season is loading for Turpin as he stands to impact multiple phases of the game in 2025.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: In positive change, Cowboys HC sees $136 million, $13.5 million weapons ‘interchangeable’
Reporting by Reid D Hanson, Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
