During the 2023 offseason, the Dallas Cowboys released running back Ezekiel Elliott due to his declining performance and his sizeable cap hit. A year later, the Cowboys will re-sign him to a one-year deal, as reported by NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
Elliott played the 2023 season for the New England Patriots, finishing with a team-leading 642 rushing yards and three touchdowns in 17 games. Meanwhile, he ranked fifth in receiving yards (313) for New England last year.
Cowboys, RB Ezekiel Elliott agree to terms on deal, pending physical. (via @rapsheet, @tompelissero) pic.twitter.com/6UzQeu1gFK
— NFL (@NFL) April 29, 2024
The Cowboys selected Elliott with the fourth overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. He immediately made his presence felt after finishing with 1,631 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. Those numbers earned him First Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl nods.
In seven seasons with the Cowboys, Elliott earned two All-Pro and three Pro Bowl selections. He had four 1,000-yard seasons with Dallas, including 1,434 in 2018 and 1,357 in 2019. But in the final year of his first stint with the Cowboys, Elliott finished with 876 rushing yards, his lowest total with Dallas.
Elliott will be reunited with quarterback Dak Prescott, the 2016 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He will join Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, and Royce Freeman in the running back rotation.
-Lance Fernandez