“Was it a holiday today?” he questioned. 

It’s because running back Malik Davis played well against the Seahawks, just as he did last year in his two best games against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thanksgiving and on Christmas against the Washington Commanders, when Davis ran for over 100 yards for the first time in his career. It’s sparked Schottenheimer to give Davis multiple holiday-related nicknames. After last season and this offseason, however, Schottenheimer might have to widen his scope beyond just holidays. 

“Malik is awesome,” Cowboys offensive coordinator Klayton Adams said. “He’s got great run instincts, he never pouts about reps. He just goes in when it’s his turn and does it good.”

That’s been the case for Davis this training camp. It continued Saturday in Seattle. Davis ran seven times for 39 yards to lead the Cowboys — on a day without a major holiday, nonetheless. 

“I love that guy,” Schottenheimer said of Davis after the game. 

Davis has earned that admiration and respect since he rejoined the Cowboys last year. The former Florida running back has spent his entire NFL career with the Cowboys after he went undrafted in 2022. The Cowboys have waived him and re-signed him multiple times. After the 2024 NFL season, they initially said goodbye without plans to bring him back, or at least right away. Davis was a free agent into last year’s training camp when he got a call from the Cowboys asking to come back again. Injuries to multiple running backs created a need for another. 

Since then, Davis has impressed. He finished last season as the backup to Javonte Williams. This year, while all the eyes initially were on second-year running backs Phil Mafah and Jaydon Blue, it’s been Davis who’s been a consistent presence — placing himself in the discussion to resume the role he finished with last year.

When asked where Davis’ consistency comes from, he said, “My work ethic and God. I keep God first and just my work. I’m going to put in the work.”

In all facets, whether it’s as a running back or on special teams. Davis first went from the practice squad to the active roster last year because the Cowboys trusted him enough to be the backup personal protector on the punt team to Juanyeh Thomas. Once Thomas was out for the season due to migraines, per the team, Davis jumped to the active roster and never let that go. 

Cowboys special teams coordinator Nick Sorensen said his respect for Davis went even further back to Davis having a big special teams hit in the preseason a year ago. 

“All he does is fix things,” Sorensen said of Davis. “He’s very coachable, he’s very trustworthy, he goes 100 mph every day. He’s self made. He’s a guy that you like working with, but he also makes plays. He’s productive. That’s the main thing. He produces, and that’s how you stay in the league — you produce. You make plays and then you’ll keep playing, or you’ll get more opportunities, and then you’ll play longer. 

“He’s been doing that.”

On days beyond just holidays.