Dallas Cowboys Eye Breece Hall to Revive Struggling Run Game After Dismal 2024 Season
The Dallas Cowboys are coming off a nightmarish 2024 season that saw them finish with a 7-10 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020. To add insult to injury, their NFC East rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders, dominated the division, with the Commanders advancing to the NFC Championship Game. The Cowboys’ fall from grace has left fans frustrated and the front office scrambling to address glaring weaknesses if they hope to reclaim their spot atop the division in 2025. Chief among these issues is a running game that was, frankly, anemic last season—a problem owner Jerry Jones cannot ignore as the team prepares for a critical offseason.
A Running Game in Shambles
In 2024, the Cowboys’ ground attack was virtually nonexistent, ranking 27th in the NFL with a paltry 1,705 rushing yards and just six touchdowns across 17 games. To put this in perspective, they averaged a mere 100.3 yards per game, a far cry from the explosive offenses that once defined Dallas under stars like Ezekiel Elliott. At their lowest point in Week 8, the Cowboys were dead last in the league in rushing yards, a statistic that underscored their inability to establish balance on offense. This deficiency forced quarterback Dak Prescott to shoulder an unsustainable burden, contributing to a passing game that often stalled under pressure.
The departure of Rico Dowdle, who rushed for over 1,000 yards as an undrafted free agent in 2024 but signed with the Carolina Panthers in free agency, left a void in the backfield. While the Cowboys added veterans Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams in the 2025 offseason, neither is seen as a true every-down back capable of transforming the offense. Sanders, coming off a lackluster stint in Carolina, and Williams, who has battled injuries since his rookie year, are likely to serve as complementary pieces rather than solutions. With the running game in desperate need of a spark, Jerry Jones and head coach Brian Schottenheimer face mounting pressure to find a dynamic playmaker who can restore balance and keep defenses honest.
The Ashton Jeanty Dream
For Cowboys fans, the 2025 NFL Draft represents a golden opportunity to address this weakness, and one name dominates their wish list: Ashton Jeanty. The Boise State running back is widely regarded as the best in his class, a Heisman Trophy contender who racked up an astounding 2,508 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns in 2024. Jeanty’s blend of power, speed, and vision makes him a perfect fit for Dallas, where he could emulate the impact of past greats like Emmitt Smith or Tony Dorsett. Social media platforms like X are abuzz with fans clamoring for Jeanty, with many envisioning him as the cornerstone of a revitalized Cowboys offense.
However, this dream comes with a harsh reality check. The Cowboys hold the 12th overall pick in the draft, and Jeanty is projected to be selected in the top 10—possibly as high as No. 7 to the New York Jets, who also need a running back. Unless teams ahead of Dallas prioritize other positions or a surprising trade shakes up the draft order, Jeanty is unlikely to fall to the Cowboys. While Jones has a history of bold draft-day moves, trading up for Jeanty would require sacrificing valuable picks, a risky proposition given the team’s other needs, including extensions for stars like Micah Parsons and Tyler Smith. With Jeanty likely out of reach, the Cowboys are forced to explore alternative options to bolster their backfield.
Enter Breece Hall: A Potential Game-Changer
As the draft looms, a tantalizing alternative has emerged in the form of New York Jets running back Breece Hall. The 23-year-old star is entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2025, set to earn just $3.3 million due to a performance escalator—a bargain for a player of his caliber. Hall has established himself as one of the NFL’s premier running backs, combining explosive speed (4.39 40-yard dash) with versatility as a runner and receiver. His potential availability has caught the attention of Jerry Jones and the Cowboys’ front office, who see him as a ready-made solution to their rushing woes.
Hall’s numbers with the Jets speak for themselves. In 2023, he rushed for 994 yards and added 591 receiving yards, totaling 1,585 yards from scrimmage despite recovering from a torn ACL suffered in 2022. In 2024, he posted 876 rushing yards and 483 receiving yards (1,359 scrimmage yards), hampered by an inconsistent Jets offensive line and a knee issue that lingered from his prior injury. Over three seasons, Hall has amassed 2,333 rushing yards, 14 rushing touchdowns, 136 receptions for 1,292 yards, and seven receiving touchdowns. His ability to break big plays (4.6 yards per carry career average) and contribute in the passing game makes him an ideal fit for Dallas’ offense, which thrives on versatility under offensive coordinator Kellen Moore.
Why Hall Might Be Available
The intrigue surrounding Hall stems from his contract situation and the Jets’ long-term plans. New York finished 2024 with a dismal 5-12 record, prompting a coaching change (Aaron Glenn replaced Jeff Ulbrich) and a shift toward rebuilding. Hall’s rookie deal expires after 2025, and Spotrac projects a potential four-year extension worth $28.3 million ($7 million per year), comparable to contracts for running backs like Alvin Kamara or Josh Jacobs. However, the NFL’s growing reluctance to pay running backs premium salaries, combined with the Jets’ depth at the position, has fueled speculation that Hall could be on the move.
The Jets boast promising young backs in Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis, who combined for 1,200 scrimmage yards in 2024 as rookies. Head coach Aaron Glenn recently hinted at a committee approach in 2025, raising questions about Hall’s role. Additionally, the Jets hold the No. 7 pick in the draft and are rumored to be eyeing Ashton Jeanty, whose cheaper rookie contract could make Hall expendable. If New York selects Jeanty or another top back, they might opt to trade Hall to avoid committing to a long-term deal, especially as they prioritize cap space for other positions (e.g., quarterback or offensive line). Analysts like Alex Kay of Bleacher Report have proposed a trade package where the Cowboys could acquire Hall for a 2025 third-round pick (No. 76) and a sixth-round pick (No. 204)—a steal for a player with Hall’s upside.
Why Hall Makes Sense for Dallas
Acquiring Breece Hall would be a coup for the Cowboys, addressing their most pressing offensive need without sacrificing a high draft pick. Unlike a rookie, Hall is a proven commodity who can step in immediately and produce. His speed and elusiveness would complement Dallas’ strong offensive line (when healthy), featuring All-Pro guard Zack Martin and rising star Tyler Smith. In Schottenheimer’s scheme, which emphasizes play-action and misdirection, Hall’s ability to catch passes out of the backfield would create mismatches, forcing linebackers to respect both the run and pass. Paired with Prescott’s arm and CeeDee Lamb’s route-running, Hall could push the Cowboys’ rushing attack into the top 15, easing the pressure on the passing game and restoring balance.
Moreover, Hall’s $3.3 million salary in 2025 fits Dallas’ tight cap situation, allowing them to delay extension talks until 2026. At 24 years old by the start of the season, he offers long-term potential as a cornerstone back, assuming he stays healthy. His addition would also signal a shift from the stopgap measures of recent years (e.g., relying on Sanders or Williams) to a bold investment in a young star who can grow with the roster.
The Risks and Counterarguments
Of course, trading for Hall isn’t without risks. His 2022 ACL injury, while no longer a major concern, serves as a reminder of the physical toll on running backs. His 2024 season saw a slight dip in efficiency (4.1 yards per carry), partly due to the Jets’ offensive struggles, raising questions about how he’ll perform behind Dallas’ line, which battled injuries in 2024. Additionally, a future extension at $7 million per year could strain the Cowboys’ cap, especially with looming deals for Parsons, Lamb, and Prescott (who restructured his contract in 2025 to lower his cap hit).
Some analysts, like those at Blogging The Boys, argue that Dallas should avoid trading for Hall and instead target a cheaper rookie in the deep 2025 running back class. Prospects like North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton, Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson, or Michigan’s Donovan Edwards could be available on Day 2 of the draft, offering similar upside at a fraction of the cost. Re-signing Dowdle, who knows the system and produced in 2024, is another option. Critics also point out that the Cowboys’ issues extend beyond the run game—defensive inconsistencies, depth at cornerback, and uncertainty at defensive tackle (with Jonathan Allen’s contract expiring) demand attention. Trading picks for Hall might limit their ability to address these areas.
The Bigger Picture
The Cowboys’ interest in Breece Hall reflects a broader urgency to rebound from 2024’s embarrassment. The season exposed flaws that go beyond personnel: coaching instability (Mike McCarthy’s departure), injuries (Prescott’s hamstring surgery), and a lack of physicality on both lines. While Hall wouldn’t solve everything, he’d be a statement acquisition, signaling Jones’ commitment to winning now rather than rebuilding. A revitalized run game could open up the playbook, reduce wear on Prescott, and help Dallas compete with the Eagles (who boast Saquon Barkley) and Commanders (led by Jayden Daniels’ dual-threat ability).
However, the Hall trade remains speculative. Neither Jones nor Jets GM Darren Mougey has confirmed talks, and much depends on New York’s draft strategy. If the Jets pass on Jeanty or prioritize extending Hall, the Cowboys could be left empty-handed, forcing them to pivot to the draft or free agency. Fan sentiment on X is mixed: some Cowboys supporters see Hall as a savior, while others worry about the cost; Jets fans, meanwhile, are split between keeping Hall and embracing a youth movement with Allen, Davis, or Jeanty.
A Glimpse of Hope Amid Chaos
As the Cowboys prepare for the 2025 NFL Draft on April 24, the Breece Hall rumors offer a glimmer of hope for a fanbase reeling from last season’s debacle. Picture this: Hall bursting through a hole created by Martin and Smith, juking a linebacker, and sprinting 40 yards for a touchdown at AT&T Stadium. It’s the kind of play that could reignite Dallas’ offense and silence doubters. Yet, the path to acquiring him is fraught with uncertainty—trade negotiations, draft decisions, and cap constraints all loom large.
For now, Jerry Jones is keeping his cards close, but one thing is clear: the Cowboys can’t afford another season of running on empty. Whether it’s Hall, Jeanty, or an unexpected dark horse, Dallas must find a way to rediscover its ground game if it hopes to reclaim the NFC East and restore its status as “America’s Team.” As the offseason unfolds, all eyes will be on Jones to see if he can pull off a move that changes the narrative—and the scoreboard—in 2025.