Dallas Cowboys agree to extension with All-Pro returner KaVontae Turpin: Sources
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By Jeff Howe, Saad Yousuf, Jon Machota and RJ Kraft
The Dallas Cowboys and wide receiver KaVontae Turpin have agreed to a three-year extension worth $18 million, according to league sources. The deal makes Turpin, who was set to be a restricted free agent, the highest-paid special teamer.
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Since joining the Cowboys in 2022, Turpin, who will turn 29 in August, has made his name on special teams. He is a two-time Pro Bowler (in 2022 and 2024) and earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2024. In addition to leading the league in kick returns yards (904) and yards per return (33.5), the TCU product returned both a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown. Turpin is the first player since 2019 to record both a punt return touchdown and a kick return touchdown in the same season, according to Stathead.
Early in his time with the Cowboys, Turpin was used sparingly on offense. That changed last season as injuries necessitated finding a way to get the speedy 5-foot-9 receiver on the field. He reeled in 31 receptions (fifth on the team) for 420 yards (fourth on the team) and two touchdowns. A 64-yard touchdown reception in Week 11 against the Houston Texans paced Turpin to single-game career-high 86 receiving yards. He also added 92 rushing yards on the season.
During the early stages of free agency, Dallas has yet to add a wide receiver. Veteran Brandin Cooks is a free agent, so Turpin slots in behind superstar wideout CeeDee Lamb and fourth-year pass catcher Jalen Tolbert and ahead of Jonathan Mingo in the pecking order at the position.
Turpin flashed his offensive potential in limited opportunities last year, particularly with his quickness and speed. With Brian Schottenheimer taking over as head coach and the offensive system, there's reason to believe that Turpin's usage could be different from previous seasons under Mike McCarthy. Turpin is a playmaker more so than a standard wide receiver. How successful he can be as an offensive weapon will depend on how creative Schottenheimer can be as an offensive mind. — Saad Yousuf, Cowboys beat writer
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Turpin has been arguably the NFL's best punt and kick returner for the last three years. But he has also seen an increased usage as a wide receiver. This new deal likely signals a bigger role on offense for Turpin. His speed has been utilized on jet sweeps, slant routes and deep balls, but it seems like there is more production to be had. Dallas still needs help at wide receiver, but one way the offense could see some changes is finding more ways for Turpin to get the ball in space. — Jon Machota, Cowboys beat writer
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