By most accounts, Blue wasn’t ready to go as a rookie. He owns it and admits he is already off to a better start to the 2026 season.
“Just looking back at the things that I didn’t do too well and some of the reasons why I wasn’t on the field last year,” Blue said, “taking what my coaches were saying and making sure I apply them, whether it’s this season or when I’m on my own.”
Boasting a 4.38 40-yard dash at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, Blue didn’t come out of the bullpen until Week 5 last year when he made his pro debut. He rushed for 7 yards on four carries in a 37-22 win over the New York Jets.
Williams had a pair of touchdowns and rushed for 135 yards in the same game.
Williams’ starts (16), touchdowns (252), yards (1,201), touchdowns (11), touchdowns (13), touchdowns (287) and yards per carry (4.8) were each career bests in his first season for Dallas.
Williams, 26, was immediately rewarded for his efforts with a three-year, $24 million contract extension.
So where does that leave Blue?
Well, he’s likely to compete for the RB2 spot against Malik Davis and Phil Mafah. While that will play out — just like the QB2 battle between Joe Milton III and Sam Howell will — in training camp and the preseason, Blue put in the effort this spring, according to his head coach.
“He’s doing great,” Brian Schottenheimer said, via The Athletic. “He came back with a different look than what he had his rookie year. I think most rookies have to realize that. We had a very honest conversation in the exit interviews. We laid it all out, laid all the cards on the table. He didn’t like being inactive, and I was very honest with my opinion about why he wasn’t active.
“We had some really great conversations. He took it, he took it in, he took it in and he’s come back with a great look on his face and a great work ethic. (His) intelligence is off the charts. I mean, the guy is a great football player. He really is. Obviously, his speed and his explosiveness. He’s going to be a big part of what he wants to do, but he wants to continue to do what we want to do, great now I would say (he is) night and day from what he was last year.”
The 22-year-old Blue has the receiving ability and game-breaking ability to be a great change of pace from Williams.
If he can earn the reps this summer, Blue could well leave the bitterness of his first season in the dust of his second.
“I use it as motivation,” Blue said of his debut. “Obviously, I want to be on the field. But at the same time, I know this is the NFL, so it can change any week. I just want to make sure this year and the next few years aren’t a problem for me.”