Cowboys Focus on Building Offensive Identity

Offensive coordinator Klayton Adams emphasizes the need for balance after a slow start in the run game.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Football

Cowboys Focus on Building Offensive Identity

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Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Klayton Adams stated the team must develop a consistent offensive identity. The squad currently ranks among the league's worst in rushing production through the first five games of the 2026 season.

Why it matters

The team's reliance on passing has allowed opposing defenses to prioritize stopping the air attack, rendering the offense one-dimensional. Without a productive run game, the Cowboys struggle to maintain the balance necessary to sustain scoring drives.

Dallas currently ranks 7th in points per game, but the offense sits 3rd-fewest in rushing yardage. Running back Javonte Williams is averaging 3.7 yards per carry this season, a decline from his 4.8-yard average in 2025.

The players

Klayton Adams

Klayton Adams serves as the offensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys and is responsible for play-calling and offensive strategy.

Javonte Williams

Javonte Williams is a professional running back who plays for the Dallas Cowboys.

Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football team that competes in the NFC East division of the NFL.

The details

The Cowboys offense has shifted its focus to the air, which has inadvertently limited the overall effectiveness of the unit against defensive schemes designed to stop the pass. Coaching staff believe that establishing a more reliable ground presence is critical to correcting these inconsistencies.

2025 season: The Cowboys maintained a top-10 rushing attack.
2026 season: The team has played five games thus far.
October 15, 2026: Klayton Adams discussed the team's offensive struggles.

Season Trajectory

This decline in rushing production stands in direct contrast to the 2025 Cowboys top-10 rushing season. The current lack of balance forces the team into a predictable passing-heavy rotation that limits their offensive ceiling as they approach the middle of the schedule.

Fantasy managers should note that Javonte Williams' production remains below his 2025 pace, impacting his utility as a reliable starter. The team's reliance on the pass suggests that wide receivers may continue to see high target volume until the rushing attack improves.

The takeaway

Developing a consistent ground game is essential for the team to avoid becoming overly predictable in late-game situations. Establishing balance will be the primary objective for the coaching staff as they evaluate personnel usage in the coming weeks.