We know how much Brian Schottenheimer loves Luekpe, so why isn't he getting on the field?
We know that on an NFL roster, not everyone can be a star and get the limelight; sometimes you need "glue" guys, and that is the Dallas Cowboys' Hunter Luekpe.
Seen as a jack-of-all-trades playing fullback, running back, tight end, you name it, Hunter has been used in a variety of ways in three NFL seasons.
We have heard Brian Schottenheimer speak glowingly of Hunter consistently since he took over as head coach, as his versatility is a big reason the Cowboys gave him a two-year, $7 million extension.
But there is something that sticks in my paw about Luepke and Schottenheimer's love affair.
Why doesn't he get on the field more if Schottenheimer sees his value so high?
Most of Cowboys Nation knows that every offseason, Hunter stacks good days of production, and then in the preseason games he flashes, making you think, "right, he can help the Cowboys," but when the regular season rolls around, he's a bit-part player.
If Schottenheimer loves Hunter so much, why hasn't he been used more?
Last season, Luepke posted just 71 rushing yards from 16 attempts, and caught 13 passes for 109 yards, the stats of a bit-part player.
He played just 21 percent of offensive snaps (251) and just 50 percent of special teams snaps (240). The most glaring thing is that, despite Schottenheimer's love for Hunter, Hunter's offensive snap count dropped from 2024 to 2025 by 77.
One would think the opposite should happen, right?
Now, we know Hunter is a jack-of-all-trades, but he might be a master of none, and that's fine. If his role is to be a glue guy and to help and pinch-hit wherever he's needed, great.
But can we maybe stop talking about him in the way Schottenheimer does?
We have already heard Schottenheimer mention Hunter this offseason, so we are getting ready for the usual good days from Luepke in Oxnard and the inevitable good moments during the preseason games.
But once the regular season rolls around? He'll get forgotten with average snap counts.
So maybe it is time to halt this love affair with Hunter...or give him adequate reps to back up the head coach's love for him.
