Sport DFW
FanSided

Playoffs Exposing Massive Cowboys Mistake Jerry Jones Cannot Repeat

By Cem Yolbulan

Oct 6, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on the field before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Oct 6, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on the field before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images / Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
facebooktwitterreddit

Even though the Dallas Cowboys have been in the offseason mode, watching the NFL playoffs from their homes, there is still plenty to take away from the first two rounds of the postseason. If the Cowboys are serious about getting back to being a serious playoff team, they need to take important lessons from the playoffs.

One glaring Cowboys weakness the NFL playoffs highlighted has been the running game. Dallas notably skimped on investing in a running back through the draft or free agency in the 2024 offseason. Their failure to do so, even after the departure of Tony Pollard resulted in the Cowboys finishing with the worst rushing offense in the league.

Dallas' attempt to replace Pollard with past-his-prime Ezekiel Elliott was hilarious from the get-go and was proven to be even more ridiculous after his performance throughout the season. Seeing the elite RB play in the playoffs further highlights the massive mistake Jerry Jones and the front office made last spring.

Saquon Barkley, after being the best non-QB offensive player in the league and carrying the Eagles to a dominant regular-season finish, ran for 324 yards and scored two touchdowns in two playoff games. Derrick Henry was arguably the best player for the Ravens in their two postseason appearances, running for 270 yards and scoring three touchdowns. Joe Mixon was another offseason addition that made a huge difference for his new team in the playoffs.

It's not like you have to sign an RB in free agency or trade for one. Jahmyr Gibbs for the Lions and James Cook for the Bills were early-round draft selections that played a huge role in their team's postseason runs.

Jerry Jones did neither. By not investing any financial or draft resources in an obvious position of need, the Cowboys shot themselves in the foot. They simply can't afford to do that in the 2025 offseason and beyond.

More Cowboys news and rumors:

feed

Home/Dallas Cowboys