The Dallas Cowboys quietly put together one of the NFL’s better ground games in 2025-and that’s not something many saw coming. With Javonte Williams leading the charge, the Cowboys finished the season with a top-10 rushing attack, averaging 125.6 yards per game-their best mark since 2022. It was an identity shift that gave their offense some much-needed balance, and Williams was at the heart of it.
The veteran back posted a career year, racking up 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns on 252 carries. That’s old-school bellcow usage, and Williams handled it with the kind of physicality and vision that made him a problem for defenses all year. But while Williams was doing the heavy lifting, the depth behind him left something to be desired.
Malik Davis was the next man up, contributing 250 yards and two scores on just 52 carries. Not bad, considering he came off the practice squad midseason.
But it was clear the Cowboys didn’t have a true 1B option to spell Williams consistently. Jaydon Blue had flashes, but inconsistency and issues with pad level and patience kept him mostly on the sidelines.
That brings us to 2026-and the Cowboys’ vision for their backfield moving forward.
First and foremost, the front office wants Javonte Williams back in the fold. Cowboys COO Stephen Jones has made it clear that re-signing Williams is a top priority this offseason, and it’s easy to see why. He was the engine of the run game, and his punishing style sets the tone for the offense.
But what about the depth behind him?
According to sources within the organization, the Cowboys are intrigued by the potential of pairing Williams with Blue in a “Thunder and Lightning” backfield. Williams brings the power, Blue the speed-and if the young back can continue developing, the team believes this tandem could be a real problem for opposing defenses.
“They believe that the combination of Blue and Javonte, who they love, that's going to be, to use their term, 'Thunder and Lightning,’” said one insider. “That doesn't discount the idea of drafting a running back.
There’s all kinds of possibilities out there, but their vision right now, if they did Javonte and Jaydon, 'Thunder and Lightning,' they'd be fine. Just keep helping Jaydon Blue learn.
By the way, having him hang around with Javonte, it's a pretty good idea.”
That mentorship could be key. Blue is still raw, but there were signs of growth late in the season-most notably in Week 18 against the Giants.
He carried the ball 16 times for 64 yards and a touchdown, including a 27-yard burst that showed off his explosive potential. It wasn’t a breakout game, but it was enough to get Cowboys fans talking.
The plan, for now, looks fairly straightforward: bring back Williams as the lead back and continue grooming Blue as the dynamic change-of-pace option. Whether the Cowboys add another back via the draft or free agency remains to be seen, but they appear comfortable with what they have in-house-especially if Blue takes the next step.
For a team that’s often leaned on Dak Prescott’s arm, the emergence of a legitimate run game in 2025 was a welcome development. If Williams returns and Blue continues to ascend, the Cowboys could be looking at a backfield that not only complements their passing attack but helps control games in the trenches-something that’s been missing in recent years.
It’s not flashy. It’s not headline-grabbing. But for a team trying to take the next step, a reliable and versatile run game might be exactly what the Cowboys need.