Jaydon Blue is heading to Philadelphia, and that alone is enough to reopen an old wound for Cowboys fans.
The former Texas Longhorn and Harris County product, once billed as a potential piece of Brian Schottenheimer’s backfield, never turned that promise into production in Dallas. The Cowboys cut him at roster cutdowns on Sunday afternoon, placed him on waivers, and did not add him back to the practice squad after he cleared. Now the 2025 fifth-round pick is signing with the Eagles’ practice squad.
For Dallas, the breakup was never just about one thing. Blue flashed the traits that make coaches dream on a young back: he can catch the ball, he has burst, and he can be slippery once he gets into space.
But the Cowboys never got enough of the other stuff. He did not run with much force between the tackles, did not keep his legs driving consistently, and never looked like a back opponents had to account for on every snap.
His role in the passing game told its own story. Blue ran routes on 25 of his 31 snaps in passing situations, a sign that Schottenheimer had limited trust in him as a blocker.
That matters for any running back trying to stick. So does the fact that Blue still has the fumble problems that have followed him for a while.
In the NFL, ball security can erase everything else in a hurry.
There were also the off-field concerns that reportedly kept Dallas from treating him like a real long-term project. Put all of that together, and the Cowboys moved on fast.
The timing makes the move sting a little more for Dallas fans, especially after Emari Demercado had already become the kind of back Blue was supposed to be. But now the story shifts to Philadelphia, where Blue’s climb is steep.
He is joining a crowded running back room that already includes Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley on the roster. On the practice squad, veteran Dameon Pierce and Carson Steele are already there too.
That leaves Blue buried near the bottom, possibly as the No. 6 back in the organization. With practice reps limited this time of year, he is splitting whatever chances he gets with three other backs.
That does not leave much room for error, or much time to make an impression.
Maybe the Eagles see this as a chance to take a look at a player Dallas could not figure out. That happens.
But if Philadelphia is expecting Blue to suddenly become a dependable contributor, the odds are not on their side. The more likely outcome is the same one Cowboys fans already know: Jaydon Blue shows the Eagles exactly why he failed with the Cowboys.
In Other News...
Cowboys Just Sent A Tough Message To Jaydon Blue And Phil Mafah
The Cowboys backfield picture got a little clearer, and a little more crowded, after roster cutdown day. Dallas waived Jaydon Blue and Joe Milton, with the expectation that Milton could be brought back on the practice squad if he clears the rest of the league, while Blue and Phil Mafah did not end up being retained on the practice squad after going unclaimed on waivers. The move left the team looking to shuffle its depth at running back rather than keep everyone in the building.
Brian Schottenheimer said the decision on Blue was tied more to how other players performed than to any lack of effort from the rookie. Dallas also added Israel Abanikanda to the practice squad, giving the Cowboys another running back option to join four others already there. For Blue and Mafah, it was a tough reminder that even in a crowded camp, a roster spot is only as secure as the last practice and the last evaluation. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Just Saw Another Failed D-Line Bet End Quietly
The Dolphins have picked up defensive tackle Mazi Smith for their practice squad, a quiet landing spot for a player who entered the league with plenty of expectations. Smith, a former first-round pick by the Cowboys, was released by the Jets after a brief stay and now gets another chance to stick with a team that is looking for depth along its defensive line.
For Dallas, it is another reminder of how far the former top pick still has to go after three NFL seasons with limited production. Smiths path has already included a move out of New York and into another roster-building project in Miami, and the next step will be whether he can turn a fresh opportunity into something more lasting. [Read more 🡒]
Cowboys Cutdown Choice Is Raising Questions After One Strong Summer
Cutdown weekend brought the usual churn, but the Cowboys still managed to leave some eyebrows raised with a few of their roster calls. Quarterback Joe Milton was among the most surprising names to go, especially after a preseason that seemed to strengthen his case, while rookie offensive tackle Drew Shelton stuck around as part of the final mix. Safety Julius Wood was also cut in the reshuffle, and Miami wasted little time claiming him off waivers.
For Dallas, the moves fit the broader reality of a roster that had to be trimmed, but they also invite the kind of second-guessing that always follows when a young player turns heads in August and still does not make the team. Miltons release, in particular, stands out because of how much momentum he appeared to build over the summer, and it leaves the Cowboys with another decision that will be debated well beyond cutdown day. [Read more 🡒]