Former Texas Longhorns running back Jaydon Blue has been waived by the Dallas Cowboys as the team cuts its roster to 53, a surprising turn for a player many expected to carve out a role in the offense.
All offseason, the expectation around Blue was straightforward: Dallas appeared to have a path for him as the backup to Javonte Williams. His training camp work and preseason showings seemed to back that up, and when he did not play in the final preseason game against the New Orleans Saints, plenty of people took that as a sign his spot was safe.
It wasn’t.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said Blue, after a tough rookie season in 2025, returned with a different mentality and more maturity. Even so, something still wasn’t clicking. Blue’s biggest calling card has always been his lightning speed, but last season that same trait became a problem at times, with the back going all gas, no brakes in practice as he tried to burst through the line of scrimmage.
Dallas also wanted his pad level lower.
That made this offseason a real proving ground for Blue, and by most accounts he made progress. For a while, it looked as if he had done enough to become a legitimate option behind Williams. Malik Davis eventually jumped him on the depth chart, but even then Blue still seemed likely to stick as the Cowboys’ third running back.
Instead, he is now another player whose NFL path has taken an unexpected detour on cut day.
It is not yet known whether Blue will clear waivers or whether Dallas would bring him back on the practice squad, though that possibility appears to be in play. What is clear is that he did not do enough this offseason to convince the Cowboys he should be part of their offense.
The “Thunder and Lightning” idea Dallas had for Williams and Blue is gone, and Blue now finds himself looking for another NFL opportunity after two seasons with the Cowboys. It’s a startling outcome for a player who, not long ago, looked like he had a real chance to be part of the plan.
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