Dallas Cowboys’ season finale leaves head coach Brian Schottenheimer with a decision to second guess
The Dallas Cowboys head coach decided not to play rookie RB Jaydon Blue most of the year. On Sunday, Blue showed out.
The Dallas Cowboys’ season is finally over. With a Week 18 loss to the New York Giants — in which they were already trailing before sitting Dak Prescott and other key starters at halftime — they finish the 2025 season with a 7-8-1 record.
And frankly? There’s not a lot to talk about the game itself. But there is one key storyline that emerged, and it’s one that should leave head coach Brian Schottenheimer second-guessing himself.
Jaydon Blue shows out
Due to multiple injuries at running back, fifth-round rookie running back Jaydon Blue finally got off the inactives list after spending most of the season as a healthy scratch. And he made the most out of his opportunity. Before the Cowboys subbed out starters at halftime, Blue racked up 76 yards in only 11 attempts.
That included a 27-yard gain in which he showed off his vision and patience waiting for blocks to develop. At the second level, he hit another gear and made a great cut to beat the Giants’ safety. On top of that, he scored a 14-yard touchdown working between the tackles.
Blue’s big day should leave Schotty thinking
Schottenheimer cited inconsistency all season as the reason Blue did not play. However, on Sunday, Blue looked like the same player who was turning heads in training camp and the little playing time he had in the preseason. At minimum, Blue looking so good makes Schottenheimer’s decision questionable.
And yet, at the end of the day, we don’t know the full context behind Blue riding the bench for longer than expected. What did his work ethic look like? Schottenheimer often referred to learning to play in the NFL. What was Blue’s grasp of the scheme? What about his pass protection? Schottenheimer knows what happened behind closed doors, and without knowing what he saw, it’s difficult to criticize the decision.
But what we have seen so far is mostly positive. Going into the 2026 offseason, Blue’s development will be worth monitoring, especially with Javonte Williams headed for free agency.
Now granted, Blue benefitted from facing the worst rushing defense in the NFL in Week 18. But that doesn’t make the film any less impressive.
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