In a running back room that has found rare stability with the re-signing of Javonte Williams, the Dallas Cowboys are nevertheless confronting questions about their depth behind their new lead back. While Williams delivered a career-high 1,201 rushing yards and earned a three-year, $24 million contract, the players behind him — particularly 2025 fifth-round pick Jaydon Blue — are under increased scrutiny heading into the 2026 season.

Blue entered the league with considerable promise as a speedy, big-play complement to Williams’ powerful running style. However, his rookie season raised concerns about consistency, work ethic, and professionalism that have now placed him on the radar as a potential surprise cut this offseason.

Limited Opportunity, Limited Impact

The Cowboys gave Blue a four-week window as the primary backup to Williams from Week 5 through Week 8. In that stretch, he managed just 22 carries for 65 yards — production that failed to inspire confidence. He did not see meaningful offensive snaps again until the regular-season finale against the New York Giants, a largely meaningless game in which he rushed for 64 yards on 16 carries and scored a touchdown.

His special teams contributions were similarly minimal. Blue returned three kicks but logged only 11 special-teams snaps for the entire season, failing to earn consistent trust in that critical third-running-back role.

Former Cowboys wide receiver Jesse Holley, speaking on the DLLS Cowboys podcast, did not mince words about Blue’s situation.

“If Blue, in Year 2, you can’t see him taking the step that you want to take in the maturity aspect and learning the plays and being impactful both on offense and in special teams — because he’s got to play special teams — when you’re the backup, the third running back, if you’re not willing to make that commitment, then, if not now, when?” Holley said.

Coaching Concerns and the Maturity Question

Head Coach Brian Schottenheimer has been notably vocal about Blue’s talent while simultaneously highlighting the need for greater consistency. In a rare public call-out for a player of his draft pedigree, Schottenheimer emphasized the demands of competing daily on a talented roster.

“He’s extremely talented. He really is talented, but there is a way you have to perform, especially with a mantra of compete every day,” Schottenheimer said last September. “If you’re not putting it out there and doing right every day… that’s going to get noticed. This is an incredibly talented roster, and you have to earn your chance to get out there.”

The message was clear: raw ability alone is not enough. For a team that has cycled through multiple lead backs in recent years, the margin for developmental projects at the position is slim.

While Phil Mafah and Malik Davis remain options as potential backups, neither carries the same ceiling — or the same expectations — that were placed on Blue when he was selected in the fifth round. His combination of vision, burst, and big-play ability made him an intriguing prospect, but those traits must now translate into reliability and commitment.

High Stakes in a Thin Room

The Cowboys’ running back situation is one of the more unusual in the NFL entering 2026. They have invested in Williams for stability at the top, yet the depth chart behind him remains unsettled. For a franchise that values versatility and special teams contributions from its backup runners, Blue’s inability to carve out a consistent role as a rookie has created legitimate questions about his roster future.

Holley’s assessment reflects a broader sentiment within Cowboys circles: talent alone does not guarantee a second chance when opportunities were already provided and not seized.

As the offseason progresses, Jaydon Blue finds himself at a critical crossroads. The former draft pick has the physical tools to develop into a valuable contributor, but he must demonstrate the maturity, preparation, and professionalism demanded by the coaching staff. Whether he takes that step in Year 2 — or whether the Cowboys choose to move on — could be one of the more intriguing subplots of Dallas’ roster building this spring.