The Dallas Cowboys are certainly not in the position that they hoped they would be after three weeks into the 2024 NFL regular season. They are currently 1-2 and in last place in the NFC East following their 28-25 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday afternoon.
While there is plenty of season left and a great deal of talent on their roster, it is clear what the team’s biggest weakness is on offense: running back.
In their loss to Baltimore, the Cowboys mustered just 51 rushing yards, led by Rico Dowdle’s 32 yards on eight carries.
It was not just a one-game thing either. Through three weeks, Dallas ranks 29th in rushing offense with just 73.7 yards per game. Only the Cincinnati Bengals, Chicago Bears, and Las Vegas Raiders are worse.
Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones Drew Criticism After the Loss
After the loss to Baltimore, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was asked why the team did not pursue running back Derrick Henry in free agency. Henry signed with the Ravens during the offseason and torched Dallas for 151 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries.
“We could not afford Derrick Henry,” Jones said in his reply.
This statement caused a great deal of criticism to be thrown his way on social media. Henry signed a two-year $16 million contract with Baltimore, with $9 million guaranteed.
Even before the Cowboys gave massive extensions to Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, they had the cap space to afford that kind of contract.
The fact of the matter is that they did not want to spend that kind of money on a running back, and now they are realizing the consequences of that decision.
NFL Analyst Suggests the Dallas Cowboys Sign Former Green Bay Packers Running Back Aaron Jones in 2025
As the season has already started, the Cowboys are extremely limited in how they can improve their running back room. They already signed free agent Dalvin Cook, but he has yet to be promoted from their practice squad.
In short, Dallas may have to wait until next offseason to improve the running back position on their roster, and one NFL analyst knows exactly who they should pursue: former Green Bay Packers and current Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones.
A recent article posted on Bleacher Report states:
“Ezekiel Elliott’s and Rico Dowdle’s contracts are set to expire at the end of the season, leaving Dallas with a need for running backs. Even if one of them gets retained, the offense could still use a dynamic option out of the backfield seeing as Deuce Vaughn hasn’t gotten much playing time.
“Jones could be that option seeing as he has roughly 280 catches for about 2,100 receiving yards in his career. While the 29-year-old, who turns 30 in December, won’t have a long tenure with the club, that will also help keep his price tag down especially if it means playing for a potential Super Bowl contender.”
The Packers released Jones during the offseason after he refused to take a pay cut to remain with the team. They felt that they had a suitable replacement for him anyway after signing Josh Jacobs in free agency.
Jones signed with Green Bay’s division rival, the Vikings, and has experienced a high level of success so far this season. He currently has 228 rushing yards and is averaging 5.4 yards per carry through three games.
Jones has one rushing touchdown and one receiving touchdown so far this year.
The former Packers running back is also very familiar with Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, who was his coach in Green Bay for the first two seasons of his career.
Of course, there is no guarantee that McCarthy will be back in Dallas next year if the team continues to struggle.
