'Very candid conversation' pushing Cowboys RB Jaydon Blue to improve in second season

Jaydon Blue was supposed to be a major piece of the Cowboys offense last year. Instead, the fifth-round running back out of Texas spent most of his rookie season inactive, logging just 38 rushing attempts over the entire schedule.

Blue was a non-factor, asked about frequently in press conferences but with coaches generally making vague references to him “not being ready” and alluding to poor practice habits. The most standout moment for Blue in his debut season wasn’t even his first career touchdown, scored in the Cowboys’ season finale versus the Giants, but rather, the day it was revealed that his custom “Louis Vuitton” cleats gave him blisters after wearing them for a midseason practice.

The shoes have thankfully been set aside. And after making several other introspective changes and having some heart-to-heart talks with Dallas coaches about his disappointing rookie year, Blue says he’s ready to make a real impact in 2026.

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer agrees.

“Most rookies have to figure it out,” Schottenheimer said of Blue to reporters this week. “He and I had a very candid conversation at the exit interviews, and we just kind of put it all out there, put all the cards on the table. He didn’t like being inactive, and so we had some really great conversations and he took that and he ingested it, took it in, and he’s come back with a great look on his face and a great work ethic.”

Blue hopes to parlay the second chance into a larger role in the Cowboys offense. Javonte Williams will still be the bellcow building on his breakout campaign, but Blue is among a group that currently includes Malik Davis, Phil Mafah, Israel Abanikanda, and rookie UDFA Dominic Richardson- each looking to be the RB2 uppercut to Williams’ jab.

But Blue, who only turned 22 in January, readily admits he had some growing up to do after a rapid rise to fame over three seasons with the Longhorns.

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

“I’m a different person than what I was at this time last year.”

The Cowboys don’t want everything about Blue to change, though, like the physical traits and mental smarts that had some calling him the steal of the Cowboys’ 2025 draft class.

“Intelligence is off the charts,” Schottenheimer explained. “I mean, the guy is football-brilliant. he really is. And obviously, you see the speed and explosiveness. He’s going to be a huge part of what we want to do, but he’s got to continue to do his part, which he’s doing great right now.”

Blue chalks it all up to the feedback he got during that difficult year spent waiting on the sidelines.

“Taking the stuff that my coaches were saying and making sure that I apply them, whether that was this offseason or whenever I’m by myself,” Blue said.

Maybe motivation enough, even, to take those first impressions and failed expectations from last year and leave them behind like a pair of old shoes.

Todd is on X at @ToddBrock24f7. Also, follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!