There’s a lot of buzz in Dallas about how explosive the Cowboys’ offense could be this season – and for good reason. George Pickensjoining CeeDee Lamb gives Dak Prescott another serious weapon. On paper, the passing game looks lethal.
But for all the talk about big plays, the Cowboys are quietly focused on something much less glamorous: pass protection. It’s become a defining trait of this new-look offense, and the running backs are leaning into it.
From the top down, it’s a message that’s been drilled in since Brian Schottenheimer took over as offensive coordinator: if you’re in the backfield, you better be ready to block. Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams have set the tone early, but rookie Tyler Booker says it’s a group-wide mindset.
“The running backs are really dynamic,” Booker said. “But what stands out is how much they care about pass protection. It’s a pride thing – and when they’re willing to block, it opens up everything else in the offense.”
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Dallas insider Mike Fisher echoed Booker’s sentiment recently, noting that both Sanders and rookie Jaydon Blue have looked especially sharp in drills. “Dynamic” is the word he used, and it’s not about their speed or footwork – it’s about how they handle contact.
Last season, Prescott didn’t always get the protection he needed. According to Pro Football Focus, he faced pressure on nearly 4 out of every 10 dropbacks. That can kill any offense – no matter how talented your receivers are.
This year, the plan is different. With Tyler Smith leading the charge on the O-line and running backs trained to pick up blitzes, the Cowboys are building protection from the inside out.
And for Schottenheimer, it’s not just strategy – it’s identity. “We ask our backs to do a lot,” he told The Dallas Morning News. “It’s not just about making plays. It’s about protecting the guy who delivers the ball.”
Blue may end up surprising some people in this area. Coaches have been quietly impressed with how quickly he’s adapted to the speed and physicality of NFL-level protection.
In a season full of expectations, it might be the smallest details – like a perfect blitz pickup – that make the biggest difference.
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