The Dallas Cowboys enter 2025 with renewed hope after a disappointing 7-10 finish in 2024. New head coach Brian Schottenheimer, a restructured offense, and Dak Prescott’s return from injury have given fans reason for optimism. However, one former NFL general manager believes a glaring weakness could doom Dallas once again.
Why Can’t the Dallas Cowboys Stop the Run When It Matters Most?
Appearing on First Take, ESPN analyst and former New York Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum delivered a sobering assessment of Dallas’s 2025 prospects. While acknowledging the team’s improvements, Tannenbaum identified run defense as the fatal flaw that could derail everything.
“Not confident about the playoffs,” Tannenbaum said, “but greatly improved for some of the reasons that you mentioned, Courtney.”
The former general manager praised several Dallas upgrades, particularly on offense. He expressed confidence in new head coach Schottenheimer and highlighted the receiving tandem of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens.
“We have two real number one receivers. You can’t double either CeeDee Lamb or George Pickens, who will be highly motivated going into the last year of his deal,” Tannenbaum explained.
He also noted the offensive line’s strength, featuring three first-round picks. These additions give Dallas legitimate weapons and protection for Prescott’s return.
However, Tannenbaum quickly shifted focus to what he considers a season-ending problem. “That all sounds good, but when you can’t stop the run, that can be catastrophic.”
How Bad Was Dallas’s Run Defense in 2024?
The numbers tell a troubling story. Dallas finished 29th in the league in rushing yards allowed in 2024, a statistic that overshadows their offensive improvements. This weakness becomes even more concerning when examining the defensive personnel.
Tannenbaum specifically called out Mazi Smith, the first-round pick from Michigan drafted two years ago. “Really hasn’t worked out,” he said, pointing to the continued struggles in the defensive interior.
The former GM painted a picture of a team facing an uphill battle in a conference loaded with rushing attacks.
“When you start thinking about Saquon Barkley … Detroit, Minnesota, San Francisco,” he said. “There’s a lot of teams that can run the ball very effectively.” In such a conference, Tannenbaum argues that an inability to stop the ground game is not just a liability. It is a season-killer.
This creates a nightmare scenario for Dallas. In a conference where multiple contenders can control games on the ground, an inability to stop the run becomes more than just a weakness. It becomes a death sentence.
Tannenbaum acknowledged the potential impact of newly hired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, saying, “I think Matt Eberflus will be effective.” But he made clear that hope alone won’t solve the problem.
The bottom line, according to Tannenbaum: “A greatly improved Cowboy team comes up short and doesn’t make the playoffs.”
With Prescott healthy and new offensive weapons in place, Dallas has built a foundation for success. But unless they can solve their run defense crisis, all those improvements might not matter when the games count most.
