The 2024-25 season is one Cowboys fans would probably love to erase from their memory. A 7-10 record left them stuck in third place in the NFC East, trailing both the Eagles and Commanders, and the year was an all-around disappointment.
Injuries played a huge role in Dallas’ struggles, with quarterback Dak Prescott missing time and a revolving door of defensive players sidelined throughout the season. But injuries were only part of the problem. Even when Prescott was healthy, the offense was disjointed—especially when it came to the run game, which was practically nonexistent.
The Cowboys finished 27th in rushing offense, averaging just 100.3 yards per game. But the real kicker? They finished with only six rushing touchdowns all season. Six! Backup running back Ezekiel Elliott accounted for half of those, with starter Rico Dowdle adding two, and Prescott scrambling for one. That’s a shocking stat for any team, let alone one that won 12 games the year before.
Owner and GM Jerry Jones’ decision to neglect the running back position in the offseason clearly backfired. To put things into perspective, the Eagles—their division rivals—rushed for seven touchdowns in the NFC Championship Game alone. That’s more than the Cowboys managed over an entire season!
Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts accounted for six of those between the two of them.
As if the season wasn’t bad enough for Cowboys fans, things got even messier in the aftermath. After firing head coach Mike McCarthy at the end of the year, owner Jerry Jones managed to fumble the hiring process too. He dragged his feet through the coaching carousel and missed out on top candidates like Ben Johnson, Aaron Glenn, and even Pete Carroll, who were all scooped up by more decisive teams.
Instead, Jones took the easy route, promoting offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to head coach. While Schottenheimer has plenty of experience, it’s hardly the splashy hire fans were hoping for. Now, he’s tasked with turning things around for a team that desperately needs a reset.
If Jones isn’t willing to open the checkbook and invest in a top-tier running back this offseason, it’s hard to see how things get any better. Without major improvements on offense, the Cowboys could be staring down another frustrating, losing season in 2025.
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