The Dallas Cowboys don’t get proactive with their contract extensions very often, so when they do, everyone should take notice. After dragging out deals for Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons over the last two offseasons, Dallas has quietly extended three players entering the last year of their deals. Two of these players, DaRon Bland and Jake Ferguson, are starters so the contracts aren’t all that surprising, but the third is a role player who likely raised some eyebrows.
Hunter Luepke, the Cowboys do-it-all fullback, signed a two-year, $7,500,000 extension to stay in Dallas through 2027. The contract extension indicates Luepke is more than just a depth player at multiple positions, and likely has a defined role in Brian Schottenheimer’s offense.
Advertisement
Luepke, 6-foot-1, 238-pounds, has been seen as a halfback, fullback, H-back and tight end in the new-look scheme. His ability to block from a variety of spots, and while on the move, make him a valuable piece on an offense trying to disguise intentions in 2025. Having versatile personnel groups is critical for Schottenheimer because players like Luepke give him the opaqueness he wants from pre-snap looks.
An offense that can show one thing in the huddle but deploy in a number of ways, is difficult for even the best defenses to handle. Look no further than Kyle Shanahan’s offense in San Francisco. Like Schottenheimer, Shanahan likes to use a dynamic fullback in his play design. He uses him in different roles across the formation which keeps defenses guessing.
Luepke might just be the glue that puts this it all together.
Luepke’s ability to wear multiple hats will keep opponents on their heels. One personnel group could see Luepke lined up in the backfield in a power run blocking look. The same personnel group could use him inline as a second tight end. Still the same could have him flexed out in the slot as a receiving threat. To complicate matters even more, Luepke could motion to any one of these spots just before snap, significantly changing the look of the Cowboys’ offense at the snap.
As a ball carrier, Luepke is ideal in short yardage situations. The former halfback from North Dakota State is no stranger to playing with the ball in his hands and has shown positive returns in NFL action. While red zone opportunities have been few and far between, he has managed a positive success rate running ball in a variety of situations over the first two years of his career.
Advertisement
His low center of gravity allows him to block on the move in ways taller blockers like Luke Schoonmaker and Jake Ferguson struggle. His ability to chip and pass protect may be instrumental to the Cowboys survival on passing downs since both offensive tackle positions have questions heading into 2025.
Luepke’s contract extension indicates his role is greater, possibly much greater, than it has previously been and that big things are expected from the 25-year-old this season on the Cowboys offense. Schottenheimer has Jerry Jones proactively lock him down for a reason.
You can follow Reid on X @ReidDHanson and be sure to follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
Advertisement
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Hunter Luepke extension with Cowboys indicates imminent breakout