The Dallas Cowboys' 2025 preseason is in the books, and questions remain for an offense that still doesn't have a clear rushing answer. Veterans Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders were both underwhelming, while the rest of the running back room all had moments throughout camp and the preseason. Unfortunately, none of the RBs offered the Cowboys any clear level of consistency, leaving Dallas fans to hope that the regular season yields better results.
It is clear that, moving into Week 1, the RB1 role is very much up for grabs. While the offense is expected to lean heavily on quarterback Dak Prescott, there has to be some semblance of a run game if the franchise hopes to return to serious contention. This further illustrates the fan base's high level of frustration with ownership.
Perhaps if owner/general manager Jerry Jones spent less time offering folksy headlines and seeking attention, the Cowboys would play their players before the price was sky high. If this had happened, maybe one of the handful of star running backs to hit free agency or the trade market the last two years would have found themselves in Dallas.
Cowboys’ running back question is far from solved as preseason draws to a close https://t.co/hjQRbphjNa
— Tim Cowlishaw (@TimCowlishaw) August 23, 2025
Cowboys Still Have No Backfield Answers as Week 1 Quickly Approaches
Respected Cowboys pundit Tim Cowlishaw recently reported on the state of the Dallas backfield. The Dallas insider comes to the same conclusion that many fans are reaching: that it seems the franchise will head into the season without a clear answer. While final roster cuts will offer who is going to get the first chance at the role, there is still going to be a trio of options on the roster that will be given a chance.
Dallas has done itself a great disservice by going all in on the passing attack, adding George Pickens and opting to search in the bargain aisles of free agency and the draft to add a starting running back. When Prescott and the Cowboys have been at their best, there has been a high level of fear of the Dallas ground attack.
It remains to be seen if any combination of Williams, Sanders, Jaydon Blue, Deuce Vaughn, and Phil Mafah has what it takes to bring Dallas' RB room back to greatness.
Now, teams are going to enter the 2025 season daring the Cowboys to put the ball on the ground and prove they can beat someone rushing. It again points out inconsistent ownership that seems more interested in grabbing headlines than lifting another Lombardi. It is a frustrating end to what has been an underwhelming backfield competition throughout the last weeks of the summer.