"Before 2023, the Cowboys had gone four years without a full-time fullback on the roster. Jamize Olawale was the last to hold that to truly hold the job, and 2019 was his final year in Dallas. But once Mike McCarthy showed up in 2020, the Cowboys went to far more single-back formations or utilizing tight ends as backfield blockers. They would occasionally work with a fullback like Sewo Olonilua in 2020 or Nick Ralston in 2021, but never for more than a few games."
"Moore left for the Chargers in 2023 and Brian Schottenheimer moved in to the coordinator role. While McCarthy was still the playcaller and very influential on the scheme, Schottenheimer brought his own philosophies to the mix. That combination seemed to pave the way for Hunter Luepke, one of the Cowboys undrafted free agents that year, to make the roster. Especially with McCarthy still around, Luepke probably doesn't make the 2023 team as just a pure blocker."
"Versatility is what got Luepke a roster spot: a capable ball-carrier and shot-yardage back, receiver, special teamer, and even an option as an emergency tight end. All of those traits have helped Luepke hang around for the last three seasons. His playing time more than doubled in 2024 and remained strong last year. While he's still a niche player in the grand scheme, Luepke's role has become arguably more valuable in Schottenheimer and Klayton Adams' offense with the move to more play-action and a run-focused attack."
Hunter Luepke has job security with the Dallas Cowboys as a versatile fullback expected to return in 2026. Dallas previously lacked a full-time fullback for four years, with Jamize Olawale the last to hold the role before 2019. After Mike McCarthy arrived in 2020, the team leaned more toward single-back formations and tight ends as backfield blockers, using fullbacks only briefly in limited games. When Kellen Moore left in 2023 and Brian Schottenheimer took over, Luepke, an undrafted free agent, made the roster. His versatility as a ball-carrier, receiver, special teamer, and emergency tight end helped him remain for three seasons, with increased playing time in 2024 and continued strength last year. His role has become more valuable in a play-action, run-focused offense.
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