It is January 2026, and if you are a Dallas fan, your head is probably spinning. Honestly, the way the Dallas cowboy running backs situation played out over the last twelve months feels like a fever dream. Remember when everyone was terrified that the committee approach would tank the season?
Well, it kinda did and kinda didn't.
The Cowboys just wrapped up a 7-9-1 campaign under Brian Schottenheimer. While the defense was basically a sieve—ranking dead last in points allowed—the ground game actually found a pulse. But man, the path to get there was messy. We saw the end of an era, a resurgent veteran, and a local kid trying to find his footing.
The Javonte Williams Gamble That Actually Paid Off
Going into the 2025 season, Jerry Jones did what Jerry does: he took a flyer on a one-year deal. Javonte Williams came in on a "prove-it" contract, and for the first time since his early days in Denver, he actually looked like the tackle-breaking machine we remembered.
He didn't just play; he carried the load. Williams finished the 2025 regular season with 1,201 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. That 4.8 yards per carry average was the engine of an offense that actually ranked 1st in total yards per game.
Why he was different
- Yards after contact: He averaged 2.5 yards after contact.
- The "Big One": He ripped off a 66-yarder against the Jets that reminded everyone why he was a second-round pick.
- Workhorse mentality: 252 carries is no joke for a guy with his injury history.
But here is the catch. He’s a free agent. Again. The Cowboys are currently staring at the 2026 offseason with almost no long-term stability in the backfield. If Javonte walks, the cupboard is looking pretty bare.
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What Really Happened With Ezekiel Elliott
We have to talk about the Zeke elephant in the room. The second reunion was... uncomfortable. It’s sort of like trying to get back with an ex only to realize within a week why you broke up in the first place.
Zeke started the year in a timeshare, but by mid-season, the burst just wasn't there. He was averaging 3.1 yards per carry. That’s essentially running into a brick wall for three yards and falling over. On New Year’s Eve 2024, the Cowboys finally pulled the plug. Zeke requested his release, Jerry gave it to him, and he ended up on the Chargers' practice squad for their playoff run.
It was a quiet, almost sad ending to one of the most illustrious careers in franchise history. No parade, no big ceremony—just a "thanks for the memories" and a waiver wire claim.
Malik Davis and the "Wait, Who?" Factor
When Miles Sanders went down with a serious knee injury in October, everyone thought the season was over. Enter Malik Davis.
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Davis is that guy who just keeps hanging around. He was an undrafted free agent back in 2022, got cut, went to the practice squad, and then—boom. On Christmas Day 2025, with Williams sidelined by a shoulder stinger, Davis stepped up against the Commanders and put up 103 yards on 20 carries.
He’s 27 now, which is basically middle-aged for a running back, but he showed a level of vision that rookie Jaydon Blue hasn't quite mastered yet. Speaking of Blue, the kid from UT has been a bit of a mystery. He had some flashes, but he spent most of November and December as a healthy scratch. He’s got the speed, but between the ears, the pass protection isn't there yet.
The 2025 Rushing Leaders (By the Numbers)
| Player | Carries | Yards | Average | TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Javonte Williams | 252 | 1,201 | 4.8 | 11 |
| Malik Davis | 52 | 250 | 4.8 | 2 |
| Dak Prescott | 53 | 177 | 3.3 | 2 |
| Jaydon Blue | 38 | 129 | 3.4 | 1 |
| Miles Sanders | 20 | 117 | 5.8 | 1 |
The Rico Dowdle Revenge Game
You can’t write about the Dallas cowboy running backs this year without mentioning the one that got away. Rico Dowdle signed with the Panthers in early 2025, and when Carolina played Dallas in Week 6, he absolutely torched them.
Dowdle put up 239 yards from scrimmage. 239!
He literally told his former teammates to "buckle up" before the game, and then he went out and set a Panthers franchise record. Watching Rico flourish elsewhere while Dallas struggled for depth in the mid-season was a tough pill for the front office to swallow. It highlighted the biggest flaw in the Cowboys' philosophy: they are great at finding talent, but they aren't always great at knowing when to keep it.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Strategy
Right now, the priority list in Frisco is messy. They need to figure out if they can afford to keep Javonte Williams while also trying to lock down George Pickens, who has become Dak's favorite target.
There is a lot of chatter about the Cowboys being the "top landing spot" for Travis Etienne Jr. in free agency. If they could snag a guy like Etienne to pair with a returning (and hopefully healthy) Javonte Williams, this backfield goes from "okay" to "lethal."
But let’s be real. This is Dallas. They’ll probably wait until the last second, pass on the big names, and then try to find a diamond in the rough in the third round of the draft.
What You Should Watch For:
- The Franchise Tag: Will they use it on Pickens or try to save some room for a running back?
- Jaydon Blue's Development: He saved his roster spot with a decent showing in the season finale against the Giants, but he's on a short leash.
- The Draft: With the 12th overall pick, do they dare take a back that high? Probably not, but with Jerry, you never know.
The 2025 season showed us that the "running back by committee" experiment is basically a myth. You need a bell cow. Javonte was that guy this year, but without a signature on a new contract, the Cowboys are right back where they started: looking for someone to carry the star.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
Keep a close eye on the legal tampering window starting in March. If the Cowboys don't make an aggressive offer to Javonte Williams within the first 48 hours, expect them to pivot heavily toward the draft, specifically looking at late-first-round talents who might slip. Also, watch the Malik Davis contract situation; he’s earned a cheap, two-year extension as a high-end RB2.