Ryan Flournoy Emerging as Bright Spot in a Dim Cowboys Season
Not much has gone according to plan for the Dallas Cowboys in 2025. A season that started with expectations of playoff contention has instead spiraled into frustration and early elimination. But even in a year where wins have been hard to come by, a few silver linings have emerged - and rookie wide receiver Ryan Flournoy is right at the top of that list.
While George Pickens has delivered as a dependable playmaker, it’s Flournoy - or “Flo,” as he’s known around the locker room - who’s quietly carved out a meaningful role in this offense. He’s officially leapfrogged Jalen Tolbert on the depth chart to become the team’s WR3, and he’s been making the most of every snap.
Over the past month, Flournoy has either posted 30-plus receiving yards or found the end zone in each game. That’s not just a sign of progress - it’s a sign of growing trust between him and Dak Prescott. The timing, the route-running, the confidence - it’s all starting to click.
And that hasn’t gone unnoticed by head coach Brian Schottenheimer.
“The development of that young man - he had a touchdown, he gets another one called back - that’s an incredible catch, probably maybe one of the best catches I’ve seen in a while,” Schottenheimer said. “Just the way he’s playing and the confidence he’s playing with, he deserves all the great things that are coming his way, and I think he’s just getting started.”
That’s high praise, and it’s well-earned. Flournoy’s combination of physicality and poise has stood out in a receiving corps that’s been searching for consistency behind Pickens. He’s not just filling a spot - he’s creating plays, extending drives, and showing flashes of a player who could become a key piece in the years to come.
Looking for Momentum in a Lost Season
With their playoff hopes officially extinguished three weeks before the end of the regular season, the Cowboys have shifted their focus. It’s no longer about chasing January football - it’s about finding something to build on.
They’ve got two games left, both against division rivals - the Washington Commanders and the New York Giants. Neither team is exactly lighting up the standings, but these games still matter.
A sweep would give Dallas a 5-1 record in the NFC East and allow them to finish at 8-8-1. That’s not the kind of finish anyone in Dallas envisioned back in September, but at this point, it’s about salvaging pride and momentum.
And let’s be honest - this team could use a dose of positive energy.
With a Christmas Day matchup on deck, the Cowboys have a chance to give their fans something to feel good about. A win won’t erase the sting of a disappointing season, but it could offer a glimpse of what’s possible when young players like Flournoy step up and make the most of their opportunities.
It’s not the story Dallas hoped to write in 2025, but it’s still one worth watching.