The Cowboys’ failure to land some key players in recent seasons is becoming more glaring, and Jerry Jones’ costly mistakes are starting to catch up with the team. One such blunder involves their decision not to draft Jahmyr Gibbs, a dynamic running back now thriving with the Detroit Lions. Gibbs recently revealed on The Richard Sherman Podcast that he was certain Dallas was going to select him at No. 26 in the 2023 NFL Draft if he was still available. However, the Lions scooped him up at No. 12, leaving Cowboys fans wondering what could have been.
Imagine how different things might have been if Dallas had secured Gibbs, especially considering the struggles their ground game has faced in recent years. Gibbs has been a major contributor to the Lions’ 8-1 start to the 2023 season, forming a potent backfield duo with David Montgomery. In contrast, Dallas’ rushing attack has been lackluster, with multiple running backs failing to establish consistency. Gibbs’ breakout performance has only magnified the Cowboys’ running game woes.
Gibbs has wasted no time making an impact with Detroit. Since joining the team, he’s racked up 1,672 rushing yards, averaging an impressive 5.5 yards per carry, which ranks second only to the league’s most dominant back, Derrick Henry. Meanwhile, Dallas ranks second-to-last in the NFL in rushing yards per game, averaging just 83.7 yards—a stat that highlights the Cowboys’ ongoing issues in the backfield.
This isn’t the first time Jerry Jones has been on the wrong side of a crucial roster decision. When the Cowboys faced off against the Tennessee Titans, Derrick Henry ran roughshod over their defense, and Jones claimed the team couldn’t make a move due to salary cap restrictions. The situation with Gibbs serves as another painful reminder of missed opportunities, with Jones seemingly hesitant to address key roster needs despite being the wealthiest franchise in the NFL.
Instead of addressing their running back issues, the Cowboys have been rotating players like Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, and Dalvin Cook in and out of the lineup. Elliott, once a star in Dallas, returned briefly, but it hasn’t been enough to provide any real stability in the backfield. Dowdle has seen sporadic action, and Cook’s impact has been minimal at best. It’s clear that the Cowboys have struggled to find a reliable lead back, making the decision to pass on Gibbs even more frustrating for fans.
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy recently named Rico Dowdle as the team’s lead back, signaling a potential shift in their approach. Dowdle had been an afterthought in the Cowboys’ running back rotation, but McCarthy’s comments suggest the team may finally be looking to establish some consistency. However, with the playoffs on the horizon, the big question is whether Dallas can fix their rushing issues in time to make a serious postseason push.
As the Cowboys continue to struggle in the run game, their failure to land key players like Gibbs looms large. While the Lions are enjoying the fruits of their decision to draft the explosive back, Dallas is left with questions about their future in the backfield. With the postseason rapidly approaching, the Cowboys’ playoff hopes may hinge on their ability to figure out their rushing attack—something that could have been much easier if they’d pulled the trigger on Gibbs 2023.
