Sports
The Dallas Cowboys are officially moving on from the Ezekiel Elliott era. Now that the iconic running back has wrapped up his second stint with the team, head coach Brian Schottenheimer can shift focus to developing the next franchise back-selected from a group of promising young prospects ready to shine in the 2025 NFL season.
Elliott undeniably defined a generation for the Cowboys. During his first tenure in Arlington, “Zeke” became the third all-time leader in both rushing yards (8,488) and touchdowns (71). While he never captured a Super Bowl ring, his name is etched in Cowboys history.
His second stint, however, was overshadowed by controversy and a noticeable dip in performance. At season’s end, the front office declined to renew his contract, turning instead to a new stable of four running backs-starting with rising talent Miles Sanders.
The Race for RB1 is on
As minicamp kicks off at The Star, Schottenheimer has expressed growing confidence in Sanders. His explosive runs and powerful legs have set him apart in a crowded running back room.
A recent acquisition from the Carolina Panthers, Sanders took most of the first-team reps during OTAs, sharing snaps with another newcomer, Javonte Williams. The former Denver Bronco is considered the team’s top pass protector-a trait Schottenheimer highly values.
Rookies Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah round out the competition heading into camp. Blue, a fifth-round pick, is a dual-threat weapon with both rushing and receiving skills. Mafah, on the other hand, is a bruising power back known for his ability to wear down defenders.
Who will be the Cowboys’ next star?
The competition is tighter than it seems. Although Sanders’ seven years of experience give him an edge, he logged just 55 carries for 205 yards last season. Williams, by contrast, rushed 139 times for 513 yards.
Still, don’t count the rookies out just yet. It’s clear the battle is currently between Sanders and Williams-but a breakout performance from Blue or Mafah could tilt the scales.
One thing’s certain: replacing a legend like Ezekiel Elliott won’t be easy.
This news was originally published on this post .
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