EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Few things went well for the TV as they closed out their disappointing 2025 season with a loss to the New York Giants, but some things did. Two of the bright spots in the Week 18 matchup involved rookie running backs Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah, both of whom left MetLife Stadium with something they'll never forget: a touchdown.
The finale saw both of them find pay dirt for the very first time in their budding careers, only the fifth time in the history of the franchise that a rookie duo scored their first NFL touchdown on the same day, and the first to do it since Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott in 2016.
"It meant the world to me to be able to score my first touchdown with the TV," Blue said, after the game. "Man, I'm just very grateful that I was able to play on the stage."
It's been a long time coming for both Blue and Mafah, each taking their respective lumps over the course of their first season, though for different reasons. For Mafah, it was all about finally making his NFL debut after being moved to injured reserve with a shoulder injury ahead of the regular season, where he remained for 16 games leading into the finale.
Blue's story involved trying to figure out how to show head coach and offensive play caller Brian Schottenheimer he was ready to play football at the professional level by practicing with consistent intensity — having played in just four games prior to that against the Giants, and none since late October, relegated to the inactives list for more than one-third of the season.
"It felt great just to be back out here again," said Blue. "It's been a while, but it felt great to be back out there and get to showcase what I can do."
What Blue can do is make plays, as seen on Sunday afternoon.
The former Longhorn not only scored his first NFL touchdown, but he also put his big play ability on display with a 27-yard run that nearly turned into a home run swing, and his vision, patience, burst, speed and shiftiness was undeniable at MetLife. Blue was locked in and playing like the rent was due, no doubt trying to give the coaching staff something that would stick to their bones going into 2026.
"Really, man, I was just hungry," he said. " feel like I haven't played in a while and I knew this was the last [game]… I wanted to seize the opportunity. I've been working super hard and practicing, making sure I'm doing little things so I can perform whenever the time [came]."
Blue went on to readily admit the reason he'd been made inactive was due to inconsistent practices, something Schottenheimer continually pointed out over the course of the 2025 season.
The 21-year-old owned up to it, and vows it won't be an issue next season.
"I'm trusting my coaches, and just making sure I'm working because, at this level, talent isn't everything. I have to make sure I'm putting in work so that I can continue to have those opportunities. … Oh, man, [I've learned] just how to practice, man. Just making sure that I'm preparing the right way, being consistent and everything."
The emergence of Javonte Williams as a premier running back and Malik Davis as a stout backup also factored into the challenges endured by Blue and Mafah this season, and if both veterans are re-signed in the offseason, it'll make for one of the best position battles in Dallas when training camp gets underway.
Only, this time, Blue isn't naive to what awaits him, or of the expectations.
