In preparation for the 2024 season, the Dallas Cowboys are on the lookout for a starting and backup running back, as they currently have only Deuce Vaughn and Malik Davis under contract. Vaughn and Davis have made a combined 22 appearances and 74 touches as spot players.

One potential candidate for the starting role is Tony Pollard, who served as the team's primary running back in 2023 after the departure of Ezekiel Elliott. Last season, Pollard rushed for 1,005 yards but experienced a career-low average of 4.0 yards per carry. However, he also achieved career-highs in other categories, including snaps (836), receptions (55), and broken tackles (19), ultimately accumulating 1,316 scrimmage yards, the most in his career.

According to Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News, Pollard will explore his options in free agency, but he remains open to returning to the Cowboys if the team's offer is competitive, even if another team offers a slightly higher contract. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones praised Pollard's performance, acknowledging that while he expected Pollard to have a greater impact, the success of the running game relies on various factors, including blocking and overall offensive performance.

The Cowboys, who finished 14th in rushing yards last season with 1,920 and 18th in yards per carry at 4.1, are determined to improve their ground game. Head coach Mike McCarthy, in his first year as the team's play caller, expressed his desire for a more effective running game than the one under former offensive coordinator Kellen Moore.

With the upcoming departure of Tony Pollard, the Cowboys are actively seeking a new starting running back who can contribute significantly on the field. Additionally, they are also in need of a reliable backup to provide depth in the running back position. As the team evaluates potential candidates in free agency and the upcoming draft, the Cowboys hope to secure a strong and dynamic running back duo for the 2024 season.

It remains to be seen who will ultimately fill the starting and backup roles in the Cowboys' backfield, but with their commitment to improving their running game, the team is determined to assemble a formidable rushing attack that will complement their potent passing game and contribute to their overall success in the coming season.