Brian Schottenheimer confirms suspicion about fan favorite Dallas Cowboys player set to become an important weapon in 2025
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer has plenty of decisions to make before the season comes around but few will be bigger than how to deploy his running back room. Without a clear-cut RB1 and a committee approach expected in Dallas, Schottenheimer knows "it's too early to tell" how the position group will operate. What is clear […]
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer has plenty of decisions to make before the season comes around but few will be bigger than how to deploy his running back room.
Without a clear-cut RB1 and a committee approach expected in Dallas, Schottenheimer knows "it's too early to tell" how the position group will operate.
What is clear for Schottenheimer, however, is versatile fullback Hunter Luepke will be a big part of the offense.
"I'd be remiss for not talking about Hunter Luepke," Schottenheimer told reporters on Tuesday. "He's playing some (running back) for us, he's playing some fullback, he's playing some tight end, and all he does is do everything well."
It's a simple message one but an important one for Luepke. He will likely not take on a lead running back role on the team but his snap count could see a bump in Year 3 of his career.
Luepke already played some tight end for the Cowboys, lining up at the position for 40 snaps in 2024, per PFF. Most of that came in the first half of the season, however, as from Week 9 to 18 he only lined up there 11 time.
In 2025, his use could be more effective as the scheme fits him well.
Under Schottenheimer's and offensive coordinator Klayton Adams' offense, there could be more intentionality surrounding his playing tight end. Adams was part of a Cardinals offense that ran plenty of gap scheme run concepts, primarily counter, and used plenty of tight ends as pulling blockers. Luepke would thrive at that role and his versatility could help the Cowboys be less predictable if he's running routes instead of only being a run blocker.
As far as playing running back, I'd imagine Luepke would get limited chances, all of which would likely come in short-yardage situations to exploit his physicality. However, it's clear he will get a chance to compete for carries.
Even if not at running back though, expect Luepke to become an important weapon on offense as he does a little bit of everything and, per Schottenheimer, all of it he does it well. That goes a long way in the NFL.
"The guy can do it all, and when you've got somebody like that, that's huge for this offense," said Prescott in September of last year. "We've got to figure out ways to continue to get him on the field and allow him to make plays when he can."
The same holds true a year later.