Ezekiel Elliott played against the Dallas Cowboys last season after his former team cut him during the 2023 offseason. One year later, a reunion could be in the cards for the legendary Cowboys’ running back.
Elliott, who turns 29 in July, was released by Dallas on March 15, 2023, to provide the team with much-needed financial relief. The Cowboys’ coaching staff was ready to move forward with Tony Pollard as its featured running back, leaving no room for Elliott even on a more cost-effective contract.
- Ezekiel Elliott stats (career): 8,904 receiving yards, 71 rushing touchdowns, 4.3 yards per carry, 356 receptions, 2,649 receiving yards, 14 touchdowns
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After receiving very limited interest in free agency, Elliott signed with the New England Patriots in August. He recorded 955 scrimmage yards and 5 touchdowns, appearing in all 17 games. He also got an opportunity at revenge against Dallas but finished with just 22 scrimmage yards on 8 touches and didn’t find the end zone in his return to AT&T Stadium.
More than a year after being released by the team that drafted him and where he spent the majority of his NFL career, a return to finish things in Dallas appears to be on the table.
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According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, there’s mutual interest between the Cowboys and Elliott for a reunion. A contract isn’t imminent, but the two sides are open to a deal. While Dallas recognizes Elliott isn’t the running back he used to be, the organization likes how he performed last season.
Why Ezekiel Elliott might be a good fit with the Cowboys
After losing Tony Pollard to the Tennessee Titans, the Cowboys seemed to be out on every top running back in free agency. Both Derrick Henry and Aaron Jones seemed to be out of the team’s price range and Dallas hasn’t been heavily tied to any other running back in NFL free agency. While the team’s next starter will likely come from the 2024 NFL Draft, Elliott could be a quality complement to that rookie.
- Ezekiel Elliott stats 2023: 642 rushing yards, 3 rushing touchdowns, 3.5 yards per carry, 51 receptions, 313 receiving yards, 2 touchdowns
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A return to Dallas would also allow Elliott to climb up the team’s rushing leaderboard. Entering the 2024 season among Cowboys all-time rushing leaders, Elliott has the third-most rushing yards (8,262) and is third in rushing touchdowns (68). Notably, he is just five shy of passing Tony Dorsett (72).
While Elliott is no longer a starting-caliber running back, he is effective in a committee backfield. Last season with New England, Elliott averaged a 12 percent target share that ranked 15th-highest among running backs and his 1.52 yards per route run, according to Player Profiler, ranked 12th at his position.
If Elliott returns to Dallas, he could also be an excellent mentor for whatever running back they draft.
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