The Dallas Cowboys find themselves in an empty but familiar situation after going 7-9 and missing the playoffs this season. While they have a decent amount of offensive talent, they need more reinforcements, especially on the defensive side of the football.
They finished the regular season last in points and passing yards allowed, and the trade that sent superstar edge rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers still hurts like a fresh bee sting. But Dallas also badly needs help at the running back position.
Javonte Williams, who had a strong year, is about to become a free agent, and fans and pundits are second-guessing another bad or questionable Cowboys decision: letting running back Rico Dowdle leave last offseason instead of giving him a new contract.
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Dowdle instead signed a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers. Just days ago, he told DLLS Cowboys that he would be open to returning to the Cowboys if they offered him a contract.
“Oh yeah, for sure. I would never take the option off the table,” Dowdle said. “I definitely would consider coming back to Dallas. Truly thankful for them. Like I said, they blessed me and gave me the opportunity, the starting point to be where I am today. So, definitely would be open.”
Dowdle started his NFL career in Dallas during the 2020 season after going undrafted out of the University of South Carolina. He overcame a hip injury in 2021 and an ankle injury in 2022 to post 1,079 rushing yards and five total touchdowns during the 2024 campaign.
This season, he went for 1,076 rushing yards, 297 receiving yards and seven total touchdowns for the surprising Panthers. At age 27 (he will turn 28 in June), he should have plenty of tread left on his tires, especially since he didn’t have as many as 10 carries in a single season until 2023.
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Unfortunately, the Cowboys, according to Spotrac.com, are in salary cap hell. They’re more than $30 million over the salary cap, and they need to find a way to keep wide receiver George Pickens, who proved himself to be a very worthy No. 2 wide receiver alongside CeeDee Lamb this season.
Controversial team owner Jerry Jones has indicated he’s willing to spend money this offseason in order to strengthen his roster. But after multiple weak offseasons in a row, it remains to be seen if Dallas will do what’s needed to field the type of team that can get it to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since the 1995 campaign.
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