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If style points counted towards the final score, reserve lineman Brock Hoffman might be the Cowboys MVP. Making a somewhat surprise start for the injured Zack Martin, Hoffman wowed fans with his effectiveness, no-nonsense attitude and innate ability to get under his opponents’ skin.
Often playing past the whistle, Hoffman seemed to take pleasure in being, for lack of a better word, a jerk. It was a welcomed sight to a fanbase who grew tired of emotionless, even lackadaisical, efforts throughout the 2024 season.
Coming off five consecutive losses, reviving a flatlined fanbase is a difficult task for anyone, especially an offensive lineman. But Hoffman’s honest effort as the resident villain combined with the surprisingly good showing by the Cowboys on both sides of the ball, made the 25-year-old reserve the talk of Cowboys Nation.
Up until Sunday’s showdown with the Commanders, Hoffman had become a somewhat forgotten name in Dallas. He had entered training camp and the preseason as a player to watch. He was a known standout in offseason programs and had endeared himself to coaches in teammates in the way Terence Steele once did. But a lackluster training camp and preseason quickly bounced the two-year veteran from expected starting center to an interior swing lineman.
Sunday’s Week 12 showing put Hoffman back on the map in many ways.
He played well on the field all while firing up teammates and frazzling opponents. It was a perfect display of the buzz surrounding him throughout the offseason.
There’s nothing wrong with players having friendly off-field relationships with each other but losing has a way of lessening tolerances for otherwise menial items. Fans grow tired of their favorite players laughing off losses, swapping jerseys, and getting friendly with opponents. Seeing someone like Hoffman getting the job and making enemies along the way is a sort of dysfunctional breath of fresh air many fans need.
None of this matters if Hoffman can’t continue a strong level of play, of course. It’s on big No. 67 to continue this in Week 13 if Martin is still out.