The Dallas Cowboys were possibly the least active team in the league in addition to failing to make a big splash in free agency before to the 2024 NFL season. Fans were perplexed by the Cowboys’ approach to a single position, despite the fact that they could have addressed many areas of need. Tony Pollard, the starting running back for Dallas in 2023, was a free agent, therefore the team had a big need at running back going into free agency. While players like Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, and Saquon Barkley signed with other teams, owner Jerry Jones decided to bring back Ezekiel Elliott for a second run with the franchise. This formed a committee of Elliott, Rico Dowdle, a free agent signed in 2020 without being picked, and Deuce Vaughn, a sixth-round selection in 2023.
However, the Cowboys, who are 3-3 going into their bye week, are lowest in the NFL in terms of rushing yards per game (77.2).
Shaquille O’Neal, a Hall of Fame basketball player and Cowboys fan, has taken matters into his own hands due to Dallas’s obvious difficulties in the running of the ball.
The NBA icon Shaq had a conversation with free-agent running back Leonard Fournette during a recent episode of “The Big Podcast” featuring Shaq. Following his confirmation that Fournette remained unsigned, O’Neal faced the camera in an attempt to make a statement to Jones and the Cowboys. “Josh Jones. Jones Jerry. It is me, Shaq, your kid. Take a look at Fournette; he looks great, has a six-pack, and is prepared to go.” stated O’Neal. Okay, Jerry Jones? Give up tinkering around.”
Agreeing with O’Neal’s message, Fournette emphasized to Jones that he is only 29 years old.
Regretfully for Fournette, Jones and the Cowboys seem set on sticking with Dowdle and Elliott. With 246 rushing yards on 59 tries, Dowdle leads the squad at the moment, followed by Elliott with 115 yards on 38 attempts. This season, Vaughn has only received seven carries totaling 20 yards. In addition, Dalvin Cook is a member of the Cowboys practice squad but has not yet been added to the active roster for a game. It would make sense for Dallas to pursue a running back, but Jones and company will almost definitely wait to see what Cook can do before considering any free agents.
The Jacksonville Jaguars were where Fournette played his first three seasons in the NFL after he was chosen fourth overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. Before joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020, he finished with 2,631 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns in 36 games. Fournette gained 1,847 yards on the ground and 17 touchdowns in 43 games during his tenure with the Bucs. In addition, he has participated in nine playoff games overall. During that time, he scored nine touchdowns, won a Super Bowl in Tampa Bay.
