Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones received a strong push from Shaquille O'Neal for the team to make a move at running back.
Not only did the Dallas Cowboys not make a splash in free agency ahead of the 2024 NFL season, but they were also arguably the least active team in the league.
While the Cowboys could have addressed numerous areas of need, the approach to one specific position baffled fans. Dallas entered free agency with a significant need at the running back position, as 2023 starter Tony Pollard was set to hit the open market.
Pollard signed with the Tennessee Titans, and owner Jerry Jones opted to bring back Ezekiel Elliott for a second stint while names such as Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs and Saquon Barkley all signed with new teams. This set up a committee featuring Elliott, 2020 undrafted free agent Rico Dowdle, and 2023 sixth-round pick Deuce Vaughn.
But as the Cowboys head into their bye week at 3-3, the team ranks last in the NFL in rushing yards per game at 77.2.
With Dallas's glaring struggles running the ball, Cowboys fan and basketball Hall-of-Famer Shaquille O'Neal has decided to take things into his own hands.
During a recent episode of "The Big Podcast" with Shaq, the NBA legend sat down with free-agent running back Leonard Fournette. After confirming Fournette was still unsigned, O'Neal turned his attention to the camera to send a message to Jones and the Cowboys.
"Jerry Jones. Jerry Jones. It's me, your boy, Shaq. Look at him [Fournette], looking good, six pack .... he's ready to go." O'Neal said. "Alright, Jerry Jones? Stop messing around."
Fournette doubled down on O'Neal's message by agreeing and reminding Jones that he's only 29 years old.
"Facts, [I'm] still 29, 29, 29," Fournette added.
Unfortunately for Fournette, Jones and the Cowboys appear to be locked in on using primarily Dowdle and Elliott. Dowdle currently leads the team with 246 rushing yards on 59 attempts, while Elliott has 115 yards on 38 attempts. Vaughn has only received seven carries for 20 yards this season.
Beyond that, the Cowboys have Dalvin Cook on the practice squad but have yet to elevate him to the active roster for a game. Dallas making a move at running back would make sense, but before any free agent draws consideration, Jones and company will almost certainly want to see what Cook can provide.
Fournette spent the first three years of his NFL career with the Jacksonville Jaguars after being selected No. 4 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. He totaled 2,631 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns in 36 games before joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020.
Over 43 career games with the Bucs, Fournette tallied 1,847 yards on the ground with 17 scores. He's also played in nine total playoff games, winning a Super Bowl in Tampa Bay and scoring nine touchdowns over that span.
