The Cowboys May Have a Breakout Player Coming Out of the Blue in 2026

I am fully putting Jaydon Blue into the breakout player category for the 2026 season, and before I get the “Your crazy comments.” Let me explain.

His rookie season gave us nothing. Blue only played five games, rushed for 129 yards, and never became anywhere close to a steady contributor. For a player with his speed, that first year was beyond disappointing.

Still, this is exactly why I’m going to start the hype train for this guy.

The funny thing is, Jaydon Blue knew last year was on him.

In an interview with Jon Machota of The Athletic, Blue had this to say about last season:

“I didn’t start off like I should have,” Blue said. “Maybe if it was not practicing the right way or just on a maturity level, I think I wasn’t really there. But just learning from all the vets, having the offseason that I’ve had, I think I’m ready to go.

That quote alone showed me his maturity level has increased.

Jaydon Blue didn’t blame the depth chart, point at the coaches, or act like Dallas just forgot about him. He said his practice habits were not where they needed to be, and for a second-year back trying to climb out of the doghouse, owning his lack of effort is a good start.

Jaydon Blue Had to Grow Up Fast

We all know Blue came into Dallas with speed, some talent, and a ton of curiosity about how he was going to be used, because when the Cowboys draft a skill player, fans pay attention.

Then the season started, and we watched as he showed us his best invisible man impersonation. Disappearing from the weekly game plan can humble a player really fast.

And again, he owned up to the reasoning:

“Just looking back on the things I didn’t do too well and some of the reasons I wasn’t on the field last year, taking the stuff my coaches were saying and making sure I apply them, whether that’s this offseason or when I’m by myself.”

I like that statement more than an apology, because every running back wants more touches, but to see and understand why you didn’t get those touches, that speaks volumes.

Jaydon Blue knows why he didn’t get touches, and he is working his butt off to get them this season.

Brian Schottenheimer Gave His Thoughts on Blue

Coach Schottenheimer put some great insight on how Jaydon Blue has been performing this offseason.

“He’s doing great,” Schottenheimer said recently. “He came back with a different look than what he had his rookie year.”

With Blue, I don’t think it was about talent, but trust. Dallas couldn’t count on him in practice and definitely couldn’t put him in a game without worrying about the small stuff that gets a young back benched.

Then came the line from Coach Schottenheimer that put this offseason up to this point into perspective for Jaydon Blue.

“He’s going to be a huge part of what we want to do, but he’s got to continue doing his part, which he’s doing great right now.”

Schottenheimer just put it all out there because he could have kept that comment boring and vague, but he put a role for Blue on the table.

The Cowboys Need His Speed

Javonte Williams is the lead back and his job is not in danger, but he’s a power back, and we all know this.

After running for 1,201 yards and 11 scores, we finally got a lead back and nothing about Blue changes that, but the Cowboys still need more juice behind him.

4.38 speed can give this offense another gear and open up the playbook more than we have seen. Having a changeup will keep defenses off balance.

Let Williams handle the heavy lifting and use Blue to soften the edges and make the linebackers chase him instead of just playing downhill.

Jaydon Blue Will Breakout

I’m all in on Jaydon Blue being the breakout player next season.

His rookie season was one to forget. He was barely involved, and Dallas clearly didn’t trust him, but he admitted the problem and Schottenheimer backed up his improvement this offseason.

If he really grew up after that forgettable rookie season, I really hope he has, Dallas may have found something it badly needed hiding in plain sight.

A second back defenses have to worry about, not just another on the depth chart.