Tired of hearing how poorly constructed the Cowboys’ running game is? Frustrated with the offseason mistakes by Jerry Jones, like the failure to pursue Derrick Henry, who would have gladly joined the team if they’d made room for his reasonable contract?
You’re not alone. But unfortunately, the reality remains.
The Cowboys’ struggling run game is just one part of a disappointing season so far, but it perfectly illustrates how the franchise botched its offseason moves. Among the mistakes, none stands out more than letting Tony Pollard walk in free agency and replacing him with an older, injury-prone Ezekiel Elliott.
Don’t hold your breath for a blockbuster trade to fix the backfield before the November 5 deadline. The Cowboys are notoriously hesitant to make in-season trades, and though many proposals circulating online make sense, they’re unlikely to happen.
Jerry Jones is convinced he’s built a strong team, despite evidence to the contrary. Even a modest, well-reasoned trade for a running back like Khalil Herbert, who’s available, seems far-fetched. But ESPN’s Bill Barnwell proposed just such a deal in his recent column, “The 12 deals we want to see at the NFL trade deadline: DeAndre Hopkins, Bryce Young on the move.”
Cowboys Would Have to Move on from Ezekiel Elliott
Barnwell suggests the Cowboys target Bears running back Khalil Herbert, a fifth-year player who has shown flashes of talent in Chicago’s committee backfield. While Herbert isn’t a star, he’d certainly be an upgrade over the Cowboys’ current trio of Elliott, Rico Dowdle, and Deuce Vaughn.
“There’s no Derrick Henry lurking, but what about adding another set of fresh legs to compete with Dowdle?” Barnwell writes. Herbert may not be built for 20 carries a game, but his 4.9 yards-per-carry average from 2021 to 2023 ranks seventh among backs with at least 300 carries.
However, adding Herbert would likely mean parting ways with Elliott, as it’s unlikely the Cowboys would keep four running backs along with fullback Hunter Luepke. Though Elliott is a beloved teammate, he’d likely be the odd man out.
Khalil Herbert’s Limited Role in Chicago
Herbert, a former sixth-round pick, showed promise last season, rushing for 611 yards on 132 carries—an impressive 4.6 yards per rush. But with D’Andre Swift now the lead back in Chicago, Herbert has seen his role diminish, logging just eight carries for 16 yards this year. This lack of use should catch the Cowboys’ attention. Any underutilized running back nearing free agency could be a target for Dallas.
Herbert may not be a lead back, but he can grind out carries and create explosive plays—something the Cowboys’ offense is sorely lacking.
“Ranking 28th in success rate suggests Herbert was hitting big plays rather than consistently gaining small chunks,” Barnwell explains. “But the Cowboys’ longest run this season is just 12 yards. Herbert had 24 carries for 13 or more yards over his first three seasons with the Bears. The Cowboys could use some of that explosiveness, even if he’s just part of the rotation.”
