FRISCO, Texas — Klayton Adams adding run concepts that fit the offensive line is where the Dallas Cowboys run game jumped, center Cooper Beebe said Tuesday at The Star.
Beebe said he and Adams bounce ideas off each other and have worked one on one, and that the coordinator’s creativity is something he does not think many people see.
“One of the biggest things with him is just looking at our team and understanding that was what we needed to implement to succeed. The first year, three years ago, my rookie year, we didn’t really get there,” Beebe said. “Klayton comes in, and I think that’s really where you saw the jump in our run game is adding more things that fit our nature as O-linemen and things that we’re good at.”
“Just the different ways we can run the same gap scheme, but it’s going to look different four out of the five times,” Beebe continued. “So it keeps defenses off balance.”
What Changed In The Dallas Cowboys Run Game
Dallas finished the 2024 season with the sixth-worst rushing offense in the NFL at 100.3 yards per game. The Cowboys ran for 4.0 yards a carry, scored a league-low 6 rushing touchdowns, and had 3 runs of 20 yards or more. That was Beebe’s rookie season.
Brian Schottenheimer hired Adams in January 2025. Dallas averaged 4.59 yards a carry last season, ninth in the league, and finished second in total offense at 391.9 yards per game. It was the first time since 2021 the Cowboys ranked in the top 10 in both rushing and passing offense.
Javonte Williams ran for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns on 252 carries. All three were career highs and it was his first 1,000-yard season.
Klayton Adams’ Background
Adams spent 2023 and 2024 as the offensive line coach in Arizona. The Cardinals ranked third in rushing offense at 141.6 yards per game over those two seasons and second in yards per carry at 5.02, and they led the league in runs of 10 yards or more at 15.4% of carries.
Philadelphia asked to interview Adams for its offensive coordinator vacancy after last season and Schottenheimer denied the request. The NFL invited Adams to its 2026 Accelerator program.
Dallas ran 34 times for 175 yards in the 34-13 win at Arizona on Saturday night. Conor Riley coaches the offensive line.
What Is Left Before Dallas Cowboys Cuts
Wednesday brings one more open practice at The Star. Dallas hosts the New Orleans Saints on Friday at 7 p.m. CT on CBS to close the preseason.
The roster has to be down to 53 by 5 p.m. CT Sunday, with waiver claims due at noon the following day.
