Cowboys Trade Proposal Brings in Running Back to Fix Only Offensive Issue
What Dak Prescott has done for the Dallas Cowboys this year can’t go unnoticed. When factoring in how poorly the Cowboys’ run game has been, the multiple injuries to the offensive line, and other factors, Prescott playing at an MVP level is a bit surprising.
However, this is also a good indication that the Cowboys could go out and get him some more help. The offensive line is expected to be healthy in the coming weeks, but the running back situation still isn’t fixed.
That’s why Sports Illustrated proposed a trade idea to land Jerome Ford of the Cleveland Browns. Ford has lost his role a bit due to young running backs in Cleveland, making him the perfect trade target.
“Targeting Jerome Ford was suggested earlier in the season, and it didn’t make much sense at the time. Now in Week 7, the Cowboys are without Miles Sanders, who was recently sent to the IR, and Jaydon Blue has yet to impress. That means this idea suddenly could be a wise move.
“Ford isn’t an every-down back, but he had 813 yards when forced into that role in 2023. He’s since fallen out of the rotation and can be a feast-or-famine player, but his explosiveness and pass-catching ability make him an ideal RB2 behind Javonte Williams. He’s also not going to get in the way of Blue should the light bulb ever come on for the rookie,” Randy Gurzi wrote.
The Cowboys Could Be Landing Spot for Jerome Ford
According to Cleveland Browns Insider Zac Jackson of The Athletic, the Dallas Cowboys and other teams will likely be able to trade for Ford. He listed him as one of the top trade candidates on Cleveland’s roster. During the season, Ford had just 20 carries for 73 yards and zero touchdowns.
“Going back to the spring, Ford always seemed to be the Browns’ most likely candidate for a trade deadline move. They drafted two running backs in April, and Ford took a pay cut ahead of the final year of his rookie contract to guarantee his roster spot at the start of the season.
“As expected, Quinshon Judkins has taken on the lead running back role. At least in part because Judkins missed all of training camp and the preseason, Ford has primarily played as the third-down back, though the Browns have also used rookie Dylan Sampson in some of their rotations,” he wrote.
While Ford hasn’t had a great year this season, he’s also impressed in other years for the Cleveland Browns.
That includes 2023 and 2024, when, mainly due to dealing with some injuries to Nick Chubb, the Browns had him in the mix at times. In 2023, Ford finished with 204 attempts for 813 yards, including four touchdowns.
Will Browns Trade Jerome Ford?
He’s never been elite by any means, but he’s more than a serviceable running back and would be ideal for what the Dallas Cowboys are looking for now.
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, he predicted that Ford would be the one who gets traded in Cleveland.
“I’ll go with the Browns’ Jerome Ford,” Fowler wrote. “It’s a rookie show in Cleveland. Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson will man the backfield moving forward. The Browns have remained active in the market with three trades executed in recent weeks. And Ford has enough cachet in the league – with 1,378 rushing yards and seven touchdowns over 2023-24 – to attract interest.”
Steelers Make Troubling Decision With Rising Star
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers had a good thing going, but that only seemed to last one game. Now, they're trying to change things, and it's not working. So much so, that they find themselves with another loss, and fans worried about the future.
The Steelers seemed to have found their next star in outside linebacker Nick Herbig, who replaced Alex Highsmith as the starter while Highsmith dealt with a sprain ankle. This season, Herbig has recorded 4.5 sacks and six tackles for loss, while recovering a fumble and batting down two passes.
Pittsburgh and their fanbase were thrilled to see the former third-round pick explode onto the scene in his short opportunity, and with Highsmith back in the lineup, it looked to continue. But only for a one-game sample size.
Steelers Make Strange Nick Herbig Decision
In Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns, the Steelers had Highsmith back in the starting lineup, but announced a 12th man in Herbig as the team ran out of the tunnel.
"I wasn't expecting that at all," Herbig said after the Cleveland game. "DY and Mike T. told me before the game, I just wear that with great pride and an honor because I know all the great legendary players that have come through these buildings and walked the same halls as me. Just the fact that they have their belief in me, that respect for me to allow me to run out of the tunnel with all the guys, you know, I'm truly blessed."
Herbig played 50 snaps against the Browns, logging 61% of the defensive snaps.
Against the Bengals, that vanished. Herbig played just 29, logging 40% of the team's defensive total and basically removing him from the starting role he was in a week ago when he logged two sacks.
Steelers Need More Herbig
The Steelers defense needs more Herbig. This isn't a situation where they're trying to find their best pieces, it's very obvious he's one of them and needs to remain on the field. That doesn't mean taking Highsmith or Watt off, it means utilizing the three-man rotation and three outside linebacker packages.
If Pittsburgh wants to get back to their ways of making the quarterback's life miserable, their edge rushers are the key. Herbig has also found success as a run stuffer this season, meaning there is no weakness in his game. So, he should be a large part of the mix.
Something the Steelers need to adjust to and utilize before they continue to struggle defensively.
