Cowboys fans huddle up, as we need to have some serious ‘number’ talks. You know that feeling when you are so close to the end line, but then end up tripping over your shoelaces? Well, that’s what the Cowboys fans feel every season – as they have high hopes at the start with some statement wins and then just when you start seeing the end line – boom! Reality check hits bad. So, when legends speak about drafting a certain player, we must listen.

Michael Irvin, former Cowboys WR, has called out his team on their latest move – signing Javonte Williams at the running back position. He believes this move might not bring any change for the Cowboys. If the GM Jerry Jones really wants to shake things up, the magic lies in the 22-88 combo, because that’s double trouble! Take a hint, Jerry!

On the Speak podcast hosted by Joy Taylor, Keyshawn Johnson, and Paul Pierce on March 12, 2025,  Irvin broke down the whole RB situation – as he has some concerns, “My concern here is when I look at this, what the Cowboys need right now for that franchise. And I’m looking at the draft. So everybody I don’t mind you having that signing Javonte Williams at the running back position. But what I don’t want and what I am worried about is, does this take you out of the draft for championship.” He explained that if the Cowboys really want to make that run for the championship, then only one guy can help them in that. And who is that? – Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty.

And Michael Irvin had all the numbers to back his point of view – kind of like a deja vu, “Now, did you all know? In 1988, Barry Sanders rushed for 2628 yards at Oklahoma State, 32 TDs. Ashton Jeanty last year at Boise State, rushed for 2288 yards with 28 TDs. Boy in 22, 2288 remember double trouble…That thing started back in 1988 when I got drafted…So it will be 22, 88 back on the field again. Double trouble. I just built the whole offseason. That’s all you need to do right there. Get this guy because it brings hope again. Oh, ok. We didn’t do this. We didn’t do that. But we got that guy. This may be the next coming of Barry Sanders.” 

Barry Sanders wasn’t just a running back – he was that viral highlight reel of his time. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 1989 and played 10 seasons in the NFL, racking up 15,269 rushing yards and 99 rushing touchdowns. But in his college career, he put up some great numbers while playing at Oklahoma State in 1988. Yes, the magic year, Michael is referring to. Sanders rushed for 2,628 yards and delivered 32 TDs, winning the Heisman Trophy. Now, how does this all relate to the Cowboys 22-88 situation? Well, Michael believes history will repeat itself – as Ashton put up some very similar numbers, 2,288 yards and 28 TDs. But let’s just address the elephant in the room – will the GM listen to him and sign up Ashton?

Ashton Jeanty – the only solution for the Cowboys?

Ashton Jeanty has been delivering big numbers since his high school days at Lone Star High in Frisco, Texas. He rushed for 1,843 yards and delivered 41 TDs in his senior year. Then, in his college career at Boise State, his stats were consistent. As a freshman, he played all 14 games with 821 yards and 7 TDs – and that includes his 178-yard performance in the Frisco Bowl. In the 2023 season, he added a title to his career – Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year. Fast forward to 2024, he finished the season with 2,601 rushing yards and 29 TDs and became the runner-up to the Heisman Trophy – well, the similarities cannot be overlooked.

So, what Michael Irvin has to say to the Cowboys makes sense, completely. Drafting Jeanty could actually up their chance in the 2025 season. His track record proves that he wouldn’t have much problem in transitioning to the NFL and would provide the Cowboys with the much-needed offensive spark they are looking for – because let’s be honest, they are really lacking behind in that area.

The Cowboys experienced a setback in the 2024 NFL season. Their offensive line struggled so much that they were ranked 24th in pass block win rate – oof! That’s not a ranking you want when you dream of the Lombardi. But it doesn’t end there, they saw a fall in their total offensive yards from 6,039 in 2023 to 5,567 in 2024. That’s like aiming for the stars and falling flat on your face – kind of numbers.

And it will be interesting to see, how Jerry Jones flicks his money wand this time. Because they have a total cap of $252.8 million for the upcoming season but with a dead cap of $20.7 million – still paying for past mistakes. However, things look promising, if they want to sign up Ashton then they do have the money for it even after giving a mega extension to Micah Parsons for $40+ million per year.

But having the money and making the right moves are two different things. So, it will be upon the Cowboys to decide if they really want to shake their O-line. And Michael just handed them the cheat code. The whole 22-88 theory makes a lot of sense. Ashton Jeanty isn’t just some other player in the draft, he has traits similar to the legendary Barry Sanders. But this decision can only be taken by the Cowboys and more specifically by Jerry himself. Will they take it or will the fans have another year of ‘so close, yet so far.’