The Dallas Cowboys have assembled one of the weirdest running back rooms in recent memory ahead of the 2025 season, and the lack of star power in this group means that they are crying out for a player like former Cleveland Browns star Nick Chubb to give this group a serious kick in the rear end.
The running back room remains incredibly weak for a Brian Schottenheimer-led offense that will try to establish a strong ground presence. Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders are fresh off very poor seasons, but they will get the bulk of carries over fifth-round rookie Jaydon Blue.
Jerry Jones received encouragement from a very unlikely source, as former Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro wide receiver Chad Johnson pleaded his case to get Chubb one more shot in the pros.
Johnson reminded Jones that Chubb is "right there" as a free agent, waiting for a team like Dallas to swipe him up and give him a shot to prove that, despite his lackluster 2024 season, he is still worthy of being a quality starting running back in this league. Johnson joined Dez Bryant in the chorus of players begging for this signing.
Cowboys urged to sign Nick Chubb by Chad Johnson
It's not hyperbole to say that Chubb is one of the best running backs of the last decade, as he would have been regarded as the AFC's best if not for Derrick Henry. Chubb ran for at least 5.0 yards per carry in every pre-2024 season despite a heavy workload, which led to him amassing four Pro Bowls, 7,500 yards from scrimmage, and 52 touchdowns since 2018.
However, Chubb managed a pathetic 3.3 yards per carry in 2024 after his explosive knee injury appeared to have robbed him of his trademark power-speed combo. Much like Ezekiel Elliott, age and attrition seem to have turned Chubb from an all-around star to a one-cut power back.
There still exists a world in which last year was the product of Chubb getting his feet back under him after a catastrophic injury. If he returns to a facsimile of what he was, the Cowboys may end up with a new starting running back that ascends from the common rabble they have now.
Dallas is hoping their committee-based approach ends up giving them a solid running game under Schottenheimer, but the ceiling on Chubb is much higher than what any of the other veterans on the roster can provide. If Schottenheimer is truly ready to lean on this committee, why not add to it?