The NFL didn't do Brian Schottenheimer any favors when it announced its 2025 season opener will feature the Dallas Cowboys playing on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday, Sept. 4.
While a juicy opening matchup, you would think the league would want to save a huge ratings draw like Cowboys-Eagles for a Sunday slate in the middle of the season. The quality of football won't be nearly as high compared to if the teams met near Halloween.
Regardless, it is a difficult opening draw for Dallas. The Eagles predictably are favorited to repeat as Super Bowl champs, according to Fan Duel. The Cowboys, meanwhile, have the 18th-best odds. It's no surprise Dallas opens as 6.5-point underdogs for the game.
In order to be fully equipped to upset Philly, Brian Schottenheimer and Co. need to go out and sign a player fans have had their eye on for months: veteran running back Nick Chubb.
Should the Cowboys sign Nick Chubb? pic.twitter.com/b53sB2HiTB
— SleeperCowboys (@SleeperCowboys) May 11, 2025
Cowboys signing Nick Chubb would be perfect response to Eagles schedule news
As much as we'd love to see draft choices Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah get their feet wet in the opener, facing the Eagles on the road in Week 1 is not the ideal setting for that.
The same can be said for Donovan Ezeiruaku, who should be practicing with the starters from day one, but Dallas has enough pass-rush help to not thrust the second-rounder into a prominent role right away.
The running back position is different. Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders are the only veterans on the roster and they do little to move the needle. Williams is the projected RB1 and he was one of the most efficient runners in the league last season.
Related: New insight makes Cowboys’ Jaydon Blue draft pick look brilliant
Among RBs with at least 125 carries, Williams ranked 35th in rushing yards over expected and rushing yards after contact per carry, per Ian Hartitz of Fantasy Life. He also checked in 32nd in yards per carry and 29th in tackles avoided per carry.
Chubb will turn 30 in December, but he is still a very good running back. His 2024 stats won't inspire confidence but he was saddled with awful quarterback play and a decimated offensive line. The four-time Pro Bowler is still a top-10 player at the position when healthy.
Signing Chubb would give the offense a proven runner who knows how to grind out tough yards in an upper-echelon defense in a hostile environment.
That is no slight against Blue or Mafah, who seemingly have bright futures in Dallas.
However, a showdown on the road against a bitter rival who happen to be the defending champs is not the "earn your stripes" game fans might have hoped for to open the season.