The Dallas Cowboys’ run game in 2024 was, to put it kindly, a slog. Averaging a paltry 100.3 yards per game—good for a dismal 27th in the NFL—the team leaned on Rico Dowdle and a nostalgic reunion with Ezekiel Elliott. The results were underwhelming, to say the least. But as the 2025 season looms, hope flickers in Big D, with a new trio of running backs and a revamped coaching staff aiming to turn the tide. Yet, the NFL world is buzzing not about the Cowboys’ potential rebound but about a jaw-dropping offseason misstep that has fans and analysts alike roasting Dallas for passing on superstars like Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley.
A Missed Opportunity or a Master Plan?
Last offseason, the Cowboys’ front office raised eyebrows with their “Blow It Up” strategy, opting to conserve cap space rather than chase high-profile free agents. While some praised the discipline, others—like The Athletic’s Jacob Robinson—weren’t so kind. “All Dallas had to do was sign one of Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley, or Josh Jacobs,” Robinson wrote, pointing out the obvious: any of those game-changers could’ve transformed Dallas’ anemic run game. Instead, the Cowboys stuck with Elliott and Dowdle, a duo that struggled to move the needle.
The decision to bypass Henry stings the most. As CowboysCountry.com first reported, the bruising back had just purchased an offseason home in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and was open to a call from the Cowboys—a call that never came. Henry ultimately signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens, leaving fans wondering if a hometown discount could’ve landed the NFL’s most feared rusher. “We’ll never know if Henry would’ve taken less to play for his adopted city,” one insider mused, “but the fact Dallas didn’t even try? That’s a gut punch.”
Then there’s Saquon Barkley, who inked a three-year, $37.75 million deal with the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles. The notion that Dallas would’ve splurged on Barkley in 2024, amid their cap-saving mindset, is laughable. Yet, the optics of watching him thrive in Philly while Dallas’ run game floundered only fuels the fire of criticism.
The 2025 Redemption Plan
Despite the missed opportunities, there’s reason for optimism in Dallas. The Cowboys are banking on a new-look backfield featuring Miles Sanders, Javonte Williams, and rookie speedster Jaydon Blue to spark a turnaround. Sanders and Williams, both underutilized in recent seasons with just 184 and similar carry counts respectively, arrive with something to prove. Hungry to reignite their careers, they’re poised to capitalize on fresh opportunities. Meanwhile, Blue—a fifth-round pick with blazing speed and pass-catching prowess—adds a dynamic wrinkle that offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer can exploit.
The coaching staff is also getting a boost. New additions Klayton Adams and Conor Riley, both with proven track records of building stout run games, are expected to elevate the offensive line’s performance. If they can carve out running lanes, Sanders, Williams, and Blue could turn heads. “The bar isn’t exactly high,” one Cowboys source quipped, referencing the 2024 unit’s lackluster output. “This group just needs to be better than Rico and Zeke—not Barkley or Henry.”
The NFL World Reacts
While Dallas focuses on its new strategy, the NFL world isn’t letting the Cowboys off the hook. Social media has erupted with fans and pundits mocking the team’s decision to pass on elite talent. “Derrick Henry was right there in Dallas, and they didn’t even pick up the phone?” one X user posted, racking up thousands of likes. Another chimed in: “Saquon tearing it up in Philly while Dallas runs with a committee? Classic Jerry Jones.” The Cowboys’ “Blow It Up” approach has gone viral, but not for the reasons they’d hoped—analysts are calling it a masterclass in missed opportunities.
Can Dallas Silence the Critics?
For the Cowboys to have the bounce-back season they crave in 2025, the run game doesn’t need to be elite—it just needs to be functional. Sanders’ veteran savvy, Williams’ bruising style, and Blue’s explosive playmaking could form a committee that keeps defenses honest. If Adams and Riley unlock the offensive line’s potential, Dallas might finally climb out of the NFL’s rushing basement.
Still, the shadow of Henry and Barkley looms large. The Cowboys’ decision to “keep their powder dry” last offseason may have been strategic, but it’s hard to sell that vision when fans are watching two of the league’s best backs dominate elsewhere. As one fan put it on X: “If this new backfield flops, Jerry’s gonna hear about Henry for years.”
The 2025 season is a chance for redemption—but it’s also a referendum on Dallas’ bold (or baffling) offseason gamble. Will Sanders, Williams, and Blue prove the doubters wrong, or will the Cowboys’ run game remain a punchline? Only time will tell.