Schottenheimer Indicates Cowboys Demoting Rookie Playmaker in Week 9
(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 12: Jaydon Blue #23 of the Dallas Cowboys carries the ball following a kickoff during the NFL 2025 game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on October 12, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
For Cowboys running back Jaydon Blue, just getting on the field this season was a bit of a struggle. He was taken in the fifth round of the draft out of Texas, and considered something of a steal because of his speed, but once he reported to Dallas, coaches found his work ethic and attention to detail was not quite up to NFL snuff.
Blue was a healthy scratch for all of September, before making his debut against the Jets on October 5. His chance came as RB2 Miles Sanders went down for the season with a knee injury, putting the rookie in position to solidify his spot with the team.
But since getting a bump up on the depth chart, Blue has failed to deliver for the Cowboys, gaining just 65 yards on 22 carries, an unimpressive 3.0 yards per rush. Worse, against the Broncos in Week 8, Blue lost a fumble in the third quarter and this week, coach Brian Schottenheimer indicated that veteran backup Malik Davis may well have overtaken Blue on the depth chart heading into Week 9 vs. the Cardinals.
Cowboys’ Schottenheimer: Jaydon Blue Was ‘Inconsistent’
When talking about Blue this week, here’s the full context of Schottenheimer’s comments, including his sentiments that Blue should actively be learning from RB1 Javonte Williams:
“Jaydon was inconsistent in the game. He did some really good things, but there were some other things he’s got to do at a higher level. The fumble was a good hit, but he’s got to be able to hold onto the ball. And actually our combination block was supposed to come off to it and it didn’t so, again, that’s a blocking issue. But again, he can continue to play and emphasize playing more and more physical with and without the ball. That’s real.
“That’s a young back learning the speed of the game, the physicality of the game. But to me, I am always going to go back to the consistency. You can’t put the ball on the ground, you have to be on top of your blitz pickups, you have to do those things. The big thing I have told him about, you’ve got the perfect guy sitting right to your left in Javonte to learn from. (He) was you a couple years ago as a young rookie trying to figure things out, and lean on him. Javonte does everything right.”
Malik Davis Cowboys Opportunities Coming?
But it was what Schottenheimer then said, unprovoked, that is interesting as far as the depth chart goes. Schottenheimer praised Davis out of the blue, despite the fact that Davis has played only five snaps this year.
“I’d be remiss if I didn’t talk about Malik Davis and the job he is doing for us,” Schottenheimer said. “We’re all about creating competition, it’s not just creating competition on the defensive side of the ball and who’s gonna play. It’s on the offensive side as well. And that would be another battle to watch.”
Again, there was no prior indication that Davis was battling for the backup spot–until Schottenheimer said it.
Jaydon Blue Ran a 4.38 40-Yard Dash
Blue made his mark last season for Texas with his versatility, rushing for 730 yards on 133 carries, and adding 368 yards receiving on 42 catches. He had 146 yards and two touchdowns for the Longhorns in their playoff win over Clemson, but was shut down in the next two games, going for just 20 yards on eight carries in the quarterfinals and semifinals.
But the Cowboys liked his speed coming out of college, with a 4.38 40-yard dash at the Combine, and felt he was a steal in the fifth round.
Chiefs Blockbuster Trade Pitch Secures Secondary by Landing 7-Time Pro Bowler
The Kansas City Chiefs are sleeper candidates to make a trade for one of the best safeties in the NFL.
Kansas City is certainly going to prioritize the defensive line above all else, where the roster could use help at defensive tackle and defensive end. However, Bill Barnwell of ESPN wrote in his trade guide on Thursday, October 30, that a third position of need is safety.
ESPN’s Ben Solak initially named the Buffalo Bills as a potential trade partner for Arizona Cardinals standout safety Budda Baker, but the same logic is applicable to the Chiefs and their need in the secondary.
“As the Cardinals’ season falls apart, the 29-year-old Baker might finally get the trade he requested in 2023 — though he signed an extension that makes it trickier,” Solak wrote on October 29.
Budda Baker More Likely Trade Candidate After Cardinals’ 5-Game Losing Streak
GettyArizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker.
The Cardinals started off the season 2-0 but have lost five games in a row and play in what is otherwise shaping up to be one of the best divisions in football. Every other NFC West team has five wins through Week 8, and Arizona’s chances of making the playoffs are even slimmer because quarterback Kyler Murray will sit out again this Monday during a road game against the Dallas Cowboys.
The Cardinals were a trendy pick to both make the playoffs and potentially win their division in 2025 based on what the advanced metrics had to say during the preseason, but with that possibility likely already out the window the team is now a strong candidate to sell talent ahead of the league’s November 4 trade deadline.
Baker is playing on a three-year deal worth $54 million that keeps him under contract through 2027. He will play next season at 30 years old and could be worth dealing if Arizona can get a strong return for him, especially given the team’s short-term outlook with regards to win/loss success.
A nine-year veteran of the NFL, Baker has earned Pro-Bowl honors seven times, including in each of the last six seasons. He is also a four-time All-Pro.
Chiefs Could Also Pursue Trade for Cardinals DT Calais Campbell
GettyDefensive tackle Calais Campbell of the Arizona Cardinals
Another player from the Cardinals who could end up with the Chiefs at some point over the next few days is defensive tackle Calais Campbell.
“The Chiefs have been actively searching for defensive line help,” Dianna Russini of The Athletic wrote Saturday.
Barnwell actually mentioned Kansas City by name on Thursday after noting Campbell as the Cardinals’ primary trade candidate.
“Campbell is continuing to play at a high level, and he might want to simply finish his career where it started in Arizona, but the 39-year-old is good enough to play meaningful snaps on a team that’s competing for a Super Bowl,” Barnwell wrote. “He would be a great fit for a team like the Chiefs or Bills, both of whom could use extra depth up front.”
Kansas City and Buffalo square off at Highmark Stadium on Sunday.
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