The Dallas Cowboys and Ezekiel Elliott were separated for a year, but made sure the divorce didn’t last long. Elliott returns to the Cowboys as the two sides agreed to terms on a contract to bring one of the greatest running backs in Cowboys history back to Dallas, by NFL Network.
Approval is conditional pending a physical examination.
Elliott returned to Dallas after one season with the New England Patriots, which he finished with 184 carries for 642 yards and three touchdowns – a career-low 3.5 yards per carry. He shared time in the Patriots backfield with Rhamondre Stevenson.
The Cowboys bring back Elliott to help solidify a running game that is essentially nonexistent following Tony Pollard’s departure in free agency. Rico Dowdle was the projected running back with Deuce Vaughn and free agent signing Royce Freeman as backups.
Does Elliott make this group better? Just ask owner Jerry Jones, who still believes Elliott can start in the league.
“Yes,” Jones said CBS Sports’ Garrett Podell Friday night when asked if Elliott has RB1/starter abilities at this point in his career. “We also talked about it last night: Is Zeke an interesting guy? Yes, he’s an interesting guy. I saw him play his last few games for New England. I thought ‘He played well enough to be a starter.’
Elliott’s first stint in Dallas didn’t end the way he wanted. The Cowboys great was arguably the league’s worst starting running back in 2022, finishing last in the NFL in yards per carry (3.8), tackles avoided (32) and percentage of runs longer than 10 yards (7.4%). .
Regardless of how the first pass ends, Elliott is one of the best running backs in Cowboys history. Third on the all-time list for rushing yards for the Cowboys (8,262), Elliott totaled 1,000 rushing yards four times in seven seasons, while reaching double-digit rushing touchdowns four times and winning three Pro Bowl appearances.
Elliott led the NFL in rushing yards per game in three straight seasons (2016-2018) with the Cowboys and the league in rushing yards twice (2016, 2018). His rushing yards per game have decreased each season due to the number of touches accumulated over his career, averaging a career-low 37.8 rushing yards per game in 2023.
The Cowboys and Elliott will try to have a happier ending. As a result, Elliott could be the No. 1 pick in Dallas.
