No one expected this Dallas Cowboys player to receive an All-Pro vote, and he shouldn’t have

The Dallas Cowboys had three second-team All-Pros following the 2025 NFL season.

Mauricio Rodriguez — Dallas Cowboys News Writer
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Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) pressures Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Terence Steele (78) during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025.
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

So, this year’s Associated Press All-Pro team is out. And for the Dallas Cowboys, there were really no surprises when it comes to players who received honors — more on that later.

But there’s one name that popped up as someone also receiving votes, and, in the literal and definitely not exaggerated sense of the world, unbelievable. I’m talking about starting right tackle Terence Steele. Out of 50 media members from around the nation, someone used one of their All-Pro votes on Steele. And in the most respectful way, it’s only fair to ask, what are we doing here?

Steele is not All-Pro caliber

Let’s take a quick look at this year’s All-Pro tackles, shall we?

  • Garett Boles, Denver Broncos: 19 pressures allowed, third-best efficiency in pass blocking per PFF.
  • Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions: 19 pressures allowed, sixth-best efficiency.

That’s quite the difference with Steele, who *checks notes* led the NFL in pressures allowed and ranked 65th in pass blocking efficiency. Despite the Cowboys’ fielding a top-five scoring offense, one of the biggest problems on the team was their pass blocking.

In Week 4 against the Green Bay Packers, the Cowboys subbed Steele out for backup Nate Thomas, who was openly competing for a spot as a starter.

Now, this is in no way, shape, or form meant to be a slight to Steele. Injuries have played a major role in his decline, and he’s not the one voting for himself to be an All-Pro. This is rather one of those things that makes you stop and go, does the AP need to do a better job picking voters? Because casting a vote for Steele isn’t taking the assignment seriously.

Cowboys’ 2025 All-Pros

With my rant being over, let’s end things on a positive note. Though the Cowboys didn’t land a single first-team All-Pro this year, three players did receive second-team honors:

  • Wide receiver George Pickens
  • Kicker Brandon Aubrey
  • Kick returner KaVontae Turpin.

Pickens had a monster year for the Cowboys and proved he can be much more than what he was earlier in his career in Pittsburgh. He is no longer the 50/50 ball specialist who can make spectacular grabs. That’s not to say he can’t do that anymore, but we’re talking about elite WR material here. Pickens showed he can run routes, create separation consistently, and beat double coverage.

His negotiations with the Cowboys will be one of the biggest stories from the NFL offseason.

As for Aubrey not getting first-team honors, that’s a surprise. He made three 60+ yard field goals, most in league history. Turpin continues wowing fans with his blazing speed, and it’s good to see him be recognized for it despite a down year relative to 2024.

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