It has been a rough few months for Cowboys receiver Jalen Tolbert, but he got his reward for perseverance in Washington.
The 2025 season hasn't been what Dallas Cowboys receiver Jalen Tolbert had envisioned.
After a solid 2024 campaign (610 yards, 7 TDs), Jalen, for most of the 2025 season, has been on the outside looking in.
The last few months has been perhaps the most trying of his young career.
Tolbert has been a healthy scratch for a handful of games. And when he did suit up, prior to the Washington Commanders game, he was largely a "forgotten'' man.
But on Christmas Day, Dak Prescott looked Jalen's way eight times in Dallas' 30-23 win, with Tolbert hauling in four catches for 31 yards, which included multiple fourth-down conversions.
What kept Tolbert on the straight path during what was no doubt a tough period in his career?
"Definitely faith,” Tolbert said. “God put me here for a reason, God put me in situations that I was in for a reason. Just continue to keep finding gratitude each and every day. Being able to compete with my brothers at practice, show up every day, be healthy, work hard, and still have the trust to be able to come out here like I did and make those plays."
In the grand scheme of things, it might not chance Tolbert's trajectory for 2026.
A free agent at season's end, Jalen will be trying to put himself in the shop window of Dallas and possibly other teams.
And the last few months have been a big learning opportunity for the receiver.
Success in the NFL isn't linear, and after being the forgotten man for half the season, Tolbert showed up when his team needed him.
But how did he manage to stay focused?
“Just each and every day, just coming with a different mindset, finding something to get better on,” Tolbert added. “Understanding that it's not necessarily me, with that, I can have peace in me coming to work each and every day, putting my best foot forward and being ready for the opportunity when it presents itself.”
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With one game left in the Cowboys' 2025 season, Tolbert might get another chance to impress the coaching staff against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.
He's had to bide his time as others have overtaken him, but he hasn't lost faith.
And on Christmas Day, Jalen was rewarded for that faith.