Tolbert was set for a big 2025 year after impressing in 2024, but he's fallen down the receiver pecking order under Brian Schottenheimer.
The NFL is a harsh and unforgiving business, and Dallas Cowboys receiver Jalen Tolbert is finding that out is the worst way.
After a 2024 season that saw JT post a career high of 610 yards and seven touchdowns from 49 receptions, it felt like he was ready to explode in 2025.
But what has happened couldn't be farther away from that goal.
Tolbert has played in just 11 games (seven starts) and has a paltry 14 receptions for 172 yards and a touchdown.
What's more, Tolbert has been a healthy inactive a handful of times this season. In his last three games, he hasn't registered a reception and has just one target.
So why has Tolbert gone from a player heavily involved last season to being forgotten 12 months later?
Whatever happened to JT?
“You look at the growth of the position ... I love JT, I have really good conversations with JT, this has been hard on him,” head coach Brian Schottenheimer said. “He certainly can play in this league, but I do think part of it is we want to use Turp (KaVontae Turpin) because of the speed and athleticism he has, and the fact that Ryan Flournoy has developed at a high rate.
"You can see the position battle that we have there.”
For most, it is now clear that Ryan Flournoy is Dallas' No. 3 receiver behind CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens.
Making play after play, with Dak Prescott looking No. 19's way countless times on third down this season, "Flo" has taken his chance and done the most with it.
And as a result, has relegated Tolbert to a forgotten player among Cowboys Nation.
But Schottenheimer made it clear that, just because Tolbert isn't being used much this season, he's still in his plans.
"I tell these guys, always be ready, JT's a guy that will always be ready," Schottenheimer added. "When he is given the call to play, if he's given the call to play, he'll be ready to go. We won't hesitate to call his number."
That's the right thing to say.
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But ...
Tolbert saw his name thrown up as a trade candidate before the deadline, but now he's a pending free agent. With KaVontae Turpin and Flournoy overtaking him as the backups to CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, it feels like the writing is on the wall for Tolbert in Dallas.
Superb one year, possibly gone the next.
The NFL is an unforgiving business.