The Dallas Cowboys are about to embark on a season that could quite possibly be the last run for the recent roster, with staples on both side of the ball in tact over the last few seasons.

With Dak Prescott at QB, CeeDee Lamb at WR and defensive stars like Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence and Trevon Diggs, the Cowboys have finished the last three seasons with an impressive 12-5 record heading into playoffs.

Yet for whatever reason, Prescott has struggled mightily when the games matter the most —and in last year’s case — the team’s top-3 defense was torched by Jordan Love an a Packers’ offense loaded with rookies and young players.

Jul 31, 2024; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) throws during training camp at the River Ridge Playing Fields in Oxnard, California. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports

Regardless, after just making Lamb the second-highest paid non-QB in the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys have a decision to make with Prescott, who is in no hurry to sign a deal he doesn’t like as he fully understands there will be a line of teams waiting to make him one of the highest paid signal callers in the league after 2024.

No matter how Prescott or the Cowboys play this season, he’s proven year after year to put up top five numbers at the hardest position in the NFL during the regular season, so GMs will take a chance and hope a change of scenery will help him get over the hurdle.

If there’s any chance of Prescott staying in Dallas, he needs to lead the Cowboys on a significant playoff run so Jerry Jones will have no choice but to open the check book.

The problem? Jones and the Dallas Cowboys brass did almost nothing to surround him with new talent this offseason. They lost their starting center and All-Pro tackle Tyron Smith, while letting their starting RB Tony Pollard, sign with the Titans.

Prescott has always thrived with a dynamic back behind him to help carry the load, opening up the play action game. Defenses also struggle to account for Prescott as a passer and runner while worrying if he may hand the ball off to a dynamic RB in the backfield.

For years, Zeke Elliott was that weapon for the Cowboys.

But in 2022, Elliott’s production fell off while Pollard shined, so Dallas parted ways with Elliott in the offseason. The former Dallas staple never found his groove in New England but signed with the Cowboys agin this offseason in one of the only moves the team made in free agency.

Dallas Cowboys Make Shocking Decision About Starting RB For Season Opener According To Report

Jun 4, 2024; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) on the field during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

All offseason, the expectation was that Elliott would somehow turn into his former self and instantly thrive taking over the Cowboys RB1 position yet again.

But Elliott has been past his best-before date for a while now, with only 1,000-yard season in the past four years. He averaged 3.8 and 3.5 yards per carry in the 2022 and 2023 seasons, respectively.

Anyone who saw Elliott last season in New England, it’s no surprise he hasn’t dazzled during training camp.

Apparently the Dallas Cowboys have finally realized Elliott isn’t the same player he once was, leading them to a somewhat surprising decision at RB1 according to one team insider.

Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle (USA Today)

Todd Archer of The Athletic reported that it appears as though the 26-year-old Rico Dowdle will be the No. 1 RB in Dallas. The South Carolina product is entering his fifth season with the Cowboys, having signed with them as an undrafted free agent in 2020:

“In a room that includes Elliott and Dalvin Cook, Dowdle should be the favorite to lead the Cowboys in rushing attempts and rushing yards this season. Dowdle was asked last week about this being his best opportunity to get significant playing time.”

After seeing limited snaps over his first three NFL seasons, Rico Dowdle saw more playing time in 2023 and finished with 385 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He was also productive as a pass-catcher, with 17 receptions for 144 yards. Soon enough, we will see if the Dallas Cowboys have someone in the backfield that makes Prescott’s job easier.