The Cowboys’ player most impacted by the recent coaching change

The one player that is probably the most impacted by the Dallas Cowboys change at head coach is fullback Hunter Luepke.

Signed as an undrafted free agent from North Dakota State after the 2023 Draft, Luepke was meant to be Mike McCarthy’s next John Kuhn.

Luepke has suited up for 33 of the 34 games Dallas has played in his two seasons. But he never fully developed into the Kuhn-type fullback McCarthy was looking for.

He has just 57 yards on 18 carries in those 33 games and 15 receptions for 129 yards.

His lone career touchdown came in 2023 against the Patriots. Unfortunately, his “season highlight” came as part of a botched handoff with Dak Prescott at Miami.

Luepke had a better year statistically in 2024 and even started in four games.

In those four starts, he had half of his 12 carries for the year and rushed for 21 of his 38 yards in those games. He finished with 12 catches and 111 yards in 2024 as well.

Luepke also chipped in on special teams, finishing with 12 tackles.

His best game as a running back came in the season finale against the Commanders, a game he started. He had three carries for 15 yards in the 22 offensive plays he was on the field for.

But with a coaching change, does Luepke still have a future in Dallas?

Would he remain a full back, or with a coaching staff that seems to lean toward a running game, could he team up as a 1-2 punch with whoever will be the RB1 in 2025?

Roster Review 2025: Hunter Luepke. This is Part 5 of a series. Click here for a list of all related articles.

Outlook For 2025

Luepke is under contract in 2025 for $1.036 million. In 2026 he will become a restricted free agent. For the upcoming season, he’s a cheap option to fill a roster spot.

If the plan is to bring Dowdle back, or draft Dowdle’s replacement, Luepke would be a solid blocking back as he was for most of 2024.

He’s also a good short yardage option, on the assumption that Ezekiel Elliott isn’t brought back for a third go-around.

When Luepke played a North Dakota State, he was the RBI for the Bison. He also ran people over even when a clear path was ahead, as he did here.
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If this is the plan, Luepke could still be of great value to the Dallas Cowboys in 2025 and beyond.

Another option, which I will immediately admit is farfetched, is that Luepke becomes the Cowboys’ RB1 with Deuce Vaughn and Malik Davis as his relievers.

This would allow the Cowboys to draft other positions of need instead of nabbing a running back.

Would it work? Possibly.

Should this be the plan?

As much as I am a fan of Luepke, I certainly hope not.

He has value for Dallas, but not as the bell cow running back.

Long-Term Outlook

As mentioned above, Luepke is a solid blocking back. He can carry the ball to spell the starter.

He’s also a good option to throw the ball to coming out of the backfield.

This was an option the Cowboys failed to take advantage of the last two years.

That’s something they need to fix going forward.

In the short, and long, term, Luepke has the potential to be a Walt Garrison or a Robert Newhouse.

Both of these Cowboys’ legends could be whatever they needed to be in the Cowboys’ backfield. So can Luepke if he’s given the chance.

Hopefully, new head coach Brian Schottenheimer and offensive coordinator Klayton Adams will see this too.

Because for 2025 and beyond, the Cowboys need to be able to establish the run.

We just saw the Philadelphia Eagles do that in 2024. Having a strong running game is what finally opened the door for Jalen Hurts to win the big game with his arm.

If Jerry Jones was paying attention on Sunday night, we might see that same thing happen in Dallas sooner rather than later.