The Dallas Cowboys’ running back corps was the punchline for jokes 12 months ago, it isn’t now.
Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders, both free agent acquisitions this offseason, coupled with draftees Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah, Dallas has some options.
We then add in offensive coordinator Klayton Adams and offensive line coach Conor Riley, who have a reputation for building good run games, and suddenly, the Cowboys might be onto something here.
Given that head coach Brian Schottenheimer envisions both Blue and Mafah as starting backs, training camp will be an interesting test of who separates themselves from the pack.
And for Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder, it’s every man for himself in Oxnard.
“It’s an open competition in Dallas’ backfield as rookie fifth-round pick Jaydon Blue or fellow free-agent signing Miles Sanders could easily beat out Williams for the starting running back spot,” Holder writes.
If a game were to be played today, Sanders and Williams would be the tandem behind Dak Prescott, with Blue the lightning-quick change-up.
But as we know, training camp has a way of making the good players stand out and others fall away. With no definitive No. 1 back, the spot is genuinely up for grabs, and who takes that mantle will be the most-watched storyline for the Cowboys this offseason.
The hope is that Blue, with his 4.38 speed will emerge as a genuine weapon, but right now, he is seen as a change-up, not “the” guy with Sanders and Williams both having all the key traits Brian Schottenheimer wants in a running back (strength, pass protection, receiving ability).
But don’t discount Blue, or even Mafah, from making noise this offseason, as the running back room doesn’t have a leader yet.
So it’s the true definition of “open competition” in Oxnard.
Cowboys’ Dak Prescott Receives Strong Shade from Former NFL QB
The Dallas Cowboys are hoping to turn things around in 2025 and get back to being a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Last season, they finished with a 7-10 record. Dak Prescott only played in eight games before going down with an injury and is looking to have a bounce-back year as well. Prescott has been one of the most polarizing quarterbacks in the NFL throughout his whole career. Some believe he’s a legitimate superstar, while others believe he’s overrated. Heading into the 2025 NFL season, he’ll be looking to quiet his critics with a big year. At this point, Prescott is still the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL. He was given a massive four-year, $240 million contract last season.
While he is the highest-paid quarterback in the league, one former NFL quarterback used that number as a way to send major shade at Prescott. As shared by Up & Adams on X, Chris Simms spoke out with a critical take about the Cowboys’ quarterback. “Dak is the highest-paid player in football, and I would say he’s not near the top five QB,” he said.
Prescott may not be a top-five quarterback. However, to claim that he isn’t “near” that list of names is a bold claim. Simms clearly is not a fan of Prescott, at least at this stage of his career.
In the eight games that Prescott played during the 2024 NFL season, he completed 64.7 percent of his pass attempts for 1,978 yards, 11 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Back in 2023, he played in 17 games and threw for 4,516 yards, 36 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. There would be no better way for Prescott to fire back at his critics than coming through with a huge year and leading Dallas on a playoff run. He has a new head coaching and offensive system under Brian Schottenheimer, which could help him turn things around after a disappointing 2024 campaign.
Only time will tell, but this take from Simms will simply add more fire under the Cowboys’ quarterback. It will be interesting to see what kind of year he can put together. With the 2025 NFL schedule now released, it is known that Prescott and Dallas will begin the year on September 4 on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles. Right off the bat, Prescott will have a chance to pull off a huge win and begin changing the narrative surrounding himself and the team.
