FRISCO, Texas — Forrest Gump isn't the only one tasked with running until his shoes melt into the asphalt beneath them, because it's sounding more and more as if Brian Schottenheimer and the ĂŰĚŇTV will enact the same strategy for their offense in 2025 and beyond.
It's a vision declared upfront by Schottenheimer, as early as his inaugural address in early February, crystal-clear on what he's hoping to establish in the construction of his offensive coaching staff.
"We're going to do a great job of marrying our runs and our passes and make those look the same," said Schottenheimer. "I'm proud to say at two different times in my career as a coordinator, we led the league in rushing, and they go hand in hand. The running game and the action pass game go hand in hand."
With the staff now finalized, make no mistake about it, that path is set in stone.
In 2024, the Cowboys scored only six rushing touchdowns (league-worst) and saw the RB-by-committee approach devolve into a forgettable, and regrettable, reunion with Ezekiel Elliott; and soon-to-be free agent Rico Dowdle accounted for more than 1,000 of the measly 1,705 rushing yards (6th-worst in the NFL).
Now, you wouldn't believe me if I told you but, in the past, the Cowboys could run like the wind blows, and if they're to get back atop the league in offensive production, and though they now have to solve that formula without perennial All-Pro right guard Zack Martin, they should be running.
"We're going to be a team that's going to run the football and be able to utilize that as a strength for us," said Ken Dorsey. "And then utilize our guys and be able to adjust our system based [on] our guys' strengths."
That is the passing game coordinator uttering those words — as focused on creating a physical, punch-you-in-the-face offense as anyone else in the building. And it's not simply a message that stops to the right of Schottenheimer, as Klayton Adams, a highly touted Arizona Cardinals' offensive line coach turned Cowboys' offensive coordinator explained.
It goes without saying that Adams, alongside heralded former Kansas State coordinator and offensive line coach Conor Riley, are being brought in to install and instill a savagery into Dallas' O-line that invokes fear in the opposition.
"The same thing that I want from every player on offense, and that is to create violence in the game, be aggressive, run and hit," said Adams of his offensive line edict. "I think every decision that we make schematically needs to lean that direction. And if there's a gray area, what is going to keep us going is to allow these guys to play more freely, and run and hit and be violent?"
But as with anything in life, it's a box of chocolates and, considering the Cowboys currently have no idea what their running backs depth chart will look like in a few weeks or months, the current staff doesn't know what they're going to get.
They do know, however, what they want to get, as explained by former running back turned RBs coach Derrick Foster, a position coach who was the overseer of peak seasons from both Austin Ekeler in Los Angeles and Alvin Kamara in New Orleans.
"I'm very passionate about the position and I think they're called upon to do a lot of different things, whether in the run game, the pass game and also blocking for the quarterback in pass protection," Foster said. "I think you've got to have that type of pride at this position. I don't think you can just stick and plug anybody at this position. I think it takes a special guy that takes pride in all three phases to be really good at his craft."
This was echoed loudly by Riley, by the way.
"Well, the measurables are always the first thing that everybody wants to talk to, but what is the makeup of that particular person?" he posited. "How tough are they? How physical are they, and what kind of grip?
"When I'm sitting there watching film, how do they finish? Are they stopping and watching, or are they covering down to the football?? That's something that's really important to me. I tell guys all the time that the value, the measurement of value to this football team, is gonna be how close you are to the football when the play is dead.
"And that is something that is so controllable. Yes, absolutely, you gotta have a particular skill set. You have to have the measurables. You have to have the athleticism, all those things, but we cannot overlook what the makeup of that [player] is."
Tough. Gritty. Violent. Physical. Free-playing. Run-driven.
All of those words are being used heavily by this coaching staff, a team of football minds that's balanced between years of NFL experience and fresh, proven minds from the collegiate level.
There does appear to be more of an alignment and singularity within the front office and coaching staff in 2025, and though time will tell if that's ultimately true, in fairly short order, no less, one look at who the Cowboys have placed around a position coach like Foster already implies Schottenheimer's message is being heard and executed in this regime's infancy.
Foster appreciates the leverage it gives him when coaching his guys.
"I think it's extremely valuable," he said. "I think it gives you an opportunity to go into the room and be really confident with the guys you have in the room, and it's not it's not a hard sell at all, because they know exactly what type of team we want to be. And in order to win in this league, I think you have to be able to run the football, and I think as long as they understand that philosophy, then we'll be okay."
There's a definitive theme settling in here head of free agency and this year's NFL draft.
And it's something even tight ends coach Lunda Wells, having waved off offers to leave due to his love for the Cowboys and how easily he found it to buy into the expectation of a “more physical” team going forward, mentioned when detailing the reasons for staying put in Dallas.
Mix in just how insanely effective All-Pro quarterback Dak Prescott is when he has the play action at his disposal, and all of this is quite the no-brainer for Schottenheimer and his staff.
Run Cowboys, run.
