The Dallas Cowboys are approaching a season that might be the final chance for their current roster, which has maintained key players on both sides of the ball over recent years. With Dak Prescott at quarterback, CeeDee Lamb at wide receiver, and defensive stars like Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Trevon Diggs, the Cowboys have consistently posted a 12-5 record in the past three seasons, leading them into the playoffs.
However, Prescott has notably struggled when it counts the most — last year, for instance, the Cowboys’ top-3 defense was dismantled by Jordan Love and a young Packers offense.
Despite this, the Cowboys recently made Lamb the second-highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL, but they face a looming decision with Prescott. He’s in no rush to sign a deal he doesn’t like, knowing that plenty of teams would line up to make him one of the highest-paid quarterbacks after 2024.
No matter how the Cowboys perform this season, Prescott has consistently put up top-five numbers at the NFL’s toughest position during the regular season, so general managers will likely be willing to bet that a change of scenery could help him overcome his playoff struggles. If Prescott is to stay in Dallas, he must lead the team on a deep playoff run, forcing Jerry Jones to commit financially.
The issue? Jones and the Cowboys’ management did little to bring in new talent this offseason. They lost their starting center and All-Pro tackle Tyron Smith and allowed starting running back Tony Pollard to sign with the Titans.
Prescott has always excelled with a strong running back to support the offense, opening up the play-action game and forcing defenses to account for both his passing and running abilities while also worrying about a dynamic backfield.
For years, Ezekiel Elliott was that key player for Dallas.
However, in 2022, Elliott’s performance declined while Pollard emerged, leading the Cowboys to part ways with Elliott in the offseason. Although Elliott struggled in New England, he re-signed with Dallas in one of the few moves the team made in free agency.
Dallas Cowboys Make Shocking Decision About Starting RB For Season Opener According To Report
Throughout the offseason, there was an expectation that Ezekiel Elliott would somehow regain his old form and reclaim the Cowboys’ RB1 position. However, Elliott has been past his prime for some time, managing only one 1,000-yard season in the last four years and averaging just 3.8 and 3.5 yards per carry in the 2022 and 2023 seasons, respectively.
According to Todd Archer of The Athletic, it now seems that 26-year-old Rico Dowdle will step into the No. 1 running back role in Dallas. Dowdle, who joined the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2020 out of South Carolina, is entering his fifth season with the team.
For those who watched Elliott’s performance last season in New England, it’s not surprising that he hasn’t impressed during training camp. It seems the Cowboys have finally recognized that Elliott is no longer the player he once was, leading them to make the somewhat unexpected choice of Dowdle as their RB1, according to a team insider.
“In a room that includes Elliott and Dalvin Cook, Dowdle should be the favorite to lead the Cowboys in rushing attempts and rushing yards this season,” the insider noted. Dowdle himself acknowledged last week that this is his best opportunity yet to get significant playing time.
After limited action in his first three NFL seasons, Dowdle saw increased playing time in 2023, finishing with 385 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He also contributed as a pass-catcher, with 17 receptions for 144 yards. Soon, we’ll see if Dowdle can be the backfield presence that helps ease the pressure on Dak Prescott.
