The New England Patriots know they're going nowhere in 2024. The Dallas Cowboys aren't so sure.
While New England is in full rebuild mode under rookie quarterback Drake Maye, the Cowboys just paid their quarterback a record-shattering $240 million. Dak Prescott has the keys to the kingdom, but the offense is still sputtering in 2024.
Dallas didn't add much outside of Prescott in the offseason, and at 3-3 with a -42 point differential, they're paying the price for their shortcomings. Running back is a particularly big hole in the offense, as veteran Ezekiel Elliott and youngster Rico Dowdle have been unable to generate any rushing attack.
With the two teams headed in opposite directions, the Patriots and Cowboys could be set up perfectly to make a trade centered around a running back. Nick Villano of FanSided urged the Cowboys to acquire Patriots star Rhamondre Stevenson before the Nov. 5 trade deadline.
"(Stevenson has) had a fumbling issue that had the Patriots demote him to backup duties," Villano said. "He still forced his way into the lineup (when healthy), as he’s a much better player than almost anyone on the Patriots' offense. The Cowboys could get Stevenson for a decent price since the Pats stink and the team hasn’t put a focus on him after his issues."
Stevenson, 26, signed a four-year, $36 million extension with New England that keeps him under control through the 2028 season. The Cowboys could hang onto him for the duration of the deal, or exercise the potential out built in after 2026 with no dead cap hit.
Though he has fumbled four times, Stevenson has still had a strong season through five games, piling up 393 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns. He's a marked improvement over both Elliott and Dowdle, and would give the Cowboys balance in their offense.
If the Cowboys make a move like this, it's a clear signal to the rest of the league that they've realized the error of their ways. Winning should be everything in Dallas nowadays, and the Cowboys have to prove that's actually the case.
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