Ezekiel Elliott and the Dallas Cowboys could soon find out that the single life is not as good as being married.
One of the best running backs in the NFL earlier in his career, Elliott was released by Dallas ahead of the 2023 season. It came after the three-time Pro Bowler failed to put up as much as 1,000 yards in two of his final three seasons with the Cowboys.
As for Dallas, head coach Mike McCarthy and Co. were ready to move on with a younger running back in Tony Pollard this past season. Add in Elliott’s bloated cap number, and the writing was on the wall. Pollard struggled in RB1 duties without Elliott in the mix, averaging just 4.0 yards per rush.
As for Zeke, he was the primary backup to Rhamondre Stevenson with the New England Patriots last season. The former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year went for a career-low 642 yards in short-yardage duties.
With all of that as a backdrop, we’re now hearing reports that a reunion could be in the cards following a one-year hiatus.
CBS Sports NFL insider Josina Anderson was the first to report on Wednesday that Elliott and his agent were at the Cowboys’ facility meeting with Dallas’ brass. A deal could very well come together rather soon based on the Cowboys’ needs and the lack of interest in Elliott on the NFL free agent market.
- Ezekiel Elliott stats: 8,904 rushing yards, 2,649 receiving yards, 11,553 total yards, 85 TD
Elliott, 28, wouldn’t come close to curing the Cowboys’ ills at running back after the aforementioned Pollard departed for the Tennessee Titans in NFL free agency.
But depth is certainly needed here. Rico Dowdle (331 yards) is the Cowboys’ leading returning rusher from a season ago.
Sure, Dallas will likely attack this position in the upcoming NFL Draft. But it would not be a surprise if something happeed on this front shortly thereafter.