Report: Dallas Cowboys agree to terms with Ezekiel Elliott
The Dallas Cowboys have agreed to terms with free agent running back Ezekiel Elliott, their former No. 4 overall pick and franchise ball carrier, according to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
“He’s back: The #Cowboys have agreed to terms with their former star RB Ezekiel Elliott, per me and @TomPelissero, as the ex-rushing champ now gives Dallas a proven weapon in the backfield,” Rapoport tweeted on Monday.
“The two sides met in person on Wednesday, and pending physical, it’s happening”
A star at Ohio State prior to his days in the NFL, Elliott was a top five pick for the Cowboys in the 2016 draft and went on to have a stellar handful of years with the franchise. Elliott ran for over 1,400 yards in two of his first three seasons, including a career-high 1,631 yards and 15 touchdowns as a rookie in 2016. Elliott was a First Team All-Pro selection and NFL leading rusher as a rookie. He would go on to earn two All-Pro honors, three Pro Bowl selections and two rushing titles with the Cowboys.
In seven seasons with Dallas, Elliott ran for 8,262 yards and 68 touchdowns. His time with the team came to an end after the 2022 season when the Cowboys decided to turn to Tony Pollard as the No. 1 running back in the offense. Elliott then went on to continue his career with the New England Patriots.
Unfortunately for Elliott, the Patriots tenure did not go as planned. Elliott played in 17 games for New England but ran for just 642 yards and three touchdowns. While his Patriots tenure did not pan out, the Cowboys believe Elliott can strengthen their offense as the backfield undergoes changes.
“Just let me say this,” team owner Jerry Jones said of Elliott ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft. “I thought he played well the last part of the season at New England. Very well… Is it real that Zeke is going to play next year in my mind? I think it’s very real… But I don’t want to go too far here because it’s competition.”
Cowboys looking for answers at running back
Pollard led the Cowboys in rushing in 2023 with 1,005 yards and six touchdowns. However, his production was not enough for the Cowboys to feel good enough to sign him to another contract and they let him walk to the Tennessee Titans on a three-year deal worth $24 million.
Prior to the signing of Elliott and the 2024 NFL Draft, the Cowboys had six running backs on the roster, but only three — Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn and Hunter Luepke — who saw time on the field for the team last year.