PITTSBURGH — No Brandin Cooks? Well, at least for one week, no problem. That’s thanks to what Jalen Tolbert was able to do in helping to lift the Dallas Cowboys to a gritty, gutsy and improbable victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the waning seconds of the fight with a go-ahead touchdown toss from Dak Prescott.
It turned out to be a career day for Tolbert, a former third-round pick who was "a deer in headlights" as a rookie before turning things around in Year 2 and now, in Year 3, has seemingly figured out the "it" that separates regular wideouts in the NFL from those that become household names.
"I work hard for this," said Tolbert after the game. "Obviously, God has given me the talent and ability to be able to continue to work and continue to get better, and so I give him all the glory for it. I've been working for years for this and waiting on my opportunity, waiting on the time where I would be able to get more offensive snaps or get more targets, whatever it may be.
"Whenever that moment comes, you've got to be able to be ready for it. I think that's something that we emphasized all week."
That moment arrived on Sunday at Acrisure Stadium, but it was more accurately a series of moments strung together to form a clear picture of what Tolbert could become for the Cowboys when given more opportunities.
He led the team in targets (10), receptions (7) and receiving yards (87) in Pittsburgh to go along with his game-winning touchdown catch, and it's as much a testament to his work ethic as it is in how that very same work ethic has led to an established trust and chemistry with Prescott.
"Super proud [of Tolbert]," the All-Pro quarterback said of the third-year wideout. "The ups and downs — I mean, it was just down early in his career and the guy had high standards for himself. We did as well. And he just didn't quite start out the way he wanted to, but I think that's a great story for a lot of guys in this league to understand that just because it doesn't start the way you want it to, that you're in control, you can rebound from that.
"... The time that I was able to spend with just to throughout the offseason — if I called or if I sent a text that said, 'Hey, I'm throwing it [around] this time.' He was one of the main guys that was always there. And just being able to play more tonight, step in, take advantage of an opportunity. I had no doubt that what he was going to do and what he's capable of doing, and he continues to get better; and I'm going to push him and make sure that he does."
It's that relationship, as well as the infinitely close one he has with his mentor, the temporarily absent Brandin Cooks, and a trip back home to Alabama to ground himself with his roots, that has helped Tolbert to truly emerge as a weapon for Prescott and the Cowboys.
And one that, when the chips are down, they can depend on to come through in the clutch.
"Yeah, it shows the type of team we have, the work we put in," said Tolbert. "I already knew that, but I think we showed the world what we are capable of doing. I love going to work with these guys. We showed grit, we showed integrity, we showed everything that we needed to show.
"It came on the road and got a hard fought victory through it on the road, so we've just gotta keep building on it. … We work hard for this. We're ready for this. So it's just about going out and showing the world."
It's a more mature and prepared Tolbert in 2024, in all facets of his approach and play.
So if there's one message he'd give to the rookie version of himself in 2022, what would that be, to help the younger him avoid the mental pitfalls that plagued him that season?
"To keep going, man," he said. "You're here for a reason. God gave you the talent and ability for a reason. Trust Him, trust yourself and you'll be fine."
On one fateful night in the Steel City, Tolbert was more than simply fine.
He was as electric as the lightning in the sky above.
