It wasn't the year Tolbert had envisioned, and as such, there's a real chance it's the end of the road in Dallas.
The NFL is a tough and unforgiving business, and over the next couple of months, Dallas Cowboys receiver Jalen Tolbert will likely find that out.
Starting the offseason as WR3 after a 2024 season that saw "JT" lead the Cowboys in TDs with 7, along with over 600 receiving yards, things didn't pan out with Brian Schottenheimer.
Tolbert was often a healthy scratch, and in the last month of the season, Ryan Flournoy's emergence saw him preferred over Jalen.
Now a free agent this offseason, the writing is on the wall for Tolbert.
Our own Mike Fisher, in assessing what Dallas will do with its 22 free agents, offered a brutal yet fair prediction of what is coming down the pipeline for Tolbert.
"It’s not so much that JT’s done anything wrong; it’s more about Ryan Flournoy doing everything right," Fish wrote. "Cowboys might barely bother making an offer. He’s out."
Is that the right call though?
For most, it is an overwhelming yes.
Tolbert didn't offer much as a receiver in 2025, and the fact that a second-year receiver didn't just squeeze past him on the depth chart, but blasted his way past, tells you all you need to know.
So many times, I saw Cowboys Nation scratching their heads over Tolbert being active on social media. Well, if Fish's prediction comes true, they won't have to worry about that anymore.
Plus, Flournoy having a full offseason with the 1's and his second offseason with Brian Schottenheimer, could make Year 3 a good one.
As Fish stated, the decision to likely move on from Tolbert isn't anything against him as a player.
It is just that Flournoy is better. Simple as that.
And if he's right, you're about to have a "new WR3.''
Schotty likes his players to be multiple and play special teams, and "Flo" ticks that box as well.
And the fact that the Cowboys might not even offer Tolbert a contract tells you all you need to know about the franchise's feelings on JT.
Sometimes, someone comes along and is simply better at their job than you.
And that's exactly what it seems will happen to Tolbert.