In recent seasons, the Dallas Cowboys have relied heavily on a powerful rushing attack, particularly with Ezekiel Elliott leading the charge, to drive their high-octane offense. However, this season, their ground game has been notably absent, averaging a mere 100.3 rushing yards per game, ranking as the sixth worst in the league. This lack of rushing success has naturally led to a decrease in attempts, resulting in the Cowboys finishing with the ninth fewest rushing attempts of the year.
On Wednesday, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones addressed the media regarding the team’s future direction, particularly concerning their search for a new offensive coordinator. He emphasized the importance of finding a candidate who excels in the running game. “We want to be able to run the ball,” said Jones via the Cowboys team website. “Everybody says that we want to run the ball and we want to stop the run, and certainly that’s what we want to do. That’s what great championship football teams do, and I know coach Schottenheimer wants to do that. It’s crucial that we find a coach who will be outstanding in the running game.”
Regardless of who takes on the offensive coordinator role, the responsibility of establishing a running game will largely fall on new head coach Brian Schottenheimer, who has already been announced to call plays for the upcoming season. While the offensive coordinator position is important for a successful ground game, effective scheming will be critical for the Cowboys to achieve better results in this area.
Fortunately, the return of Dak Prescott in 2025 should alleviate some pressure from opposing defenses, which last year focused heavily on the run game with Cooper Rush as quarterback.
