Dallas Cowboys’ Running Back Decisions Face Scrutiny in 2024 NFL Season

During the 2024 NFL offseason, Derrick Henry became a free agent for the first time in his career. The veteran running back had hoped to join the Dallas Cowboys, largely due to his residence in the area, commenting that it would be «a convenient spot.» Despite his expressed interest, the Cowboys did not pursue Henry, who ultimately signed with the Baltimore Ravens. This decision proved fortuitous for the Ravens, as Henry has been leading the NFL in rushing yards and touchdowns through the first ten weeks of the season.

The decision not to recruit Henry has been a topic of discussion following his impressive performance against the Cowboys in the early season matchup, where he recorded 151 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones commented on the matter, stating, «We couldn’t afford Derrick Henry,» acknowledging financial constraints as a factor in their decision.

Dallas took a more frugal approach during the offseason by re-signing Ezekiel Elliott, one of their familiar former players, on a one-year, $2 million contract. Elliott, who was originally the No. 4 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, had a brief stint with another franchise in 2023 before rejoining the Cowboys. Despite the cost-saving move, Elliott’s performance has been uninspiring, contributing to a running offense that ranks second-worst in the league as of Week 10.

Under this new contract, Elliott carries a minimal $2 million cap charge. However, he also impacts the Cowboys’ salary cap with an additional $6.04 million in dead cap money resulting from his previous contract’s guarantees that the team voided in 2023. Consequently, Elliott’s financial impact on the Dallas Cowboys amounts to $8.04 million, a significant chunk of their cap space, especially when compared to his limited output.

In contrast, Derrick Henry’s contract with the Ravens, valued at up to $16 million over two years, ranks among the top ten among NFL running backs. The Ravens manage this deal efficiently, with Henry counting for just over $5 million against the cap this season, though his comprehensive cash payments are around $9 million for 2024.

While this financial outlay for Henry is considerably larger than Elliott’s cost to Dallas, the difference in their performances may justify the expense. During the 2024 season, Elliott has produced career lows, while Henry is once again on pace to lead multiple offensive categories.

The debate over Dallas’s decision not to sign Henry intensified after Elliott’s struggles and costly mistakes, such as a fumble in a crucial game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite some fan support for moving away from Elliott, given his diminished returns, he remains a part of the team’s active roster ahead of their next match against the Houston Texans.

Rico Dowdle, another running back on the Cowboys roster, has shown promise this season, averaging 4.4 yards per carry, leading some to call for an expanded role. Dowdle’s performances have led to discussions about his future with the team, potentially solidifying his place as a more prominent feature in the Cowboys’ backfield.