The New England Patriots’ running back, Ezekiel Elliott, is currently exploring the possibility of reuniting with his former team, the Dallas Cowboys, after spending seven seasons with them.
According to NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, Elliott and the Cowboys held discussions on Wednesday regarding a potential return. While no agreement has been reached yet, the parties are actively engaged in negotiations.
“The Cowboys met with old friend and former Pro Bowl RB Zeke Elliott and agent Rocky Arceneaux today about a potential return to Dallas. The former NFL rushing champ and his old team don’t have a deal just yet. But they are in talks,” Rapoport reported.
This isn’t the first time rumors of a reunion between the former Cowboys running back and the Cowboys have surfaced. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler had also reported on the mutual interest between the player and the team.
The 28-year-old running back was selected by the Cowboys with the fourth overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft and quickly turned into a strong weapon for the team with his dominating performance.
Yet, he was released by the team last offseason. The star running back subsequently joined the Patriots and adapted well to his new role under former head coach Bill Belichick.
Now, with Belichick replaced by Jerod Mayo as head coach, Elliott’s departure from New England has become a possibility.
Ezekiel Elliott’s illustrious Cowboys career
Throughout his tenure with the Cowboys, spanning seven seasons, Ezekiel Elliott showcased his prowess as a premier running back in the league, accumulating 8,904 rushing yards and 68 touchdowns. This standout performance ranks third in both categories in Cowboys history, trailing only Tony Dorsett and Emmitt Smith, both Pro Football Hall of Famers, per CBS Sports.
In addition to his ground game dominance, Zeke also proved to be a reliable target in the passing game, tallying 356 catches for 2,649 yards and 14 touchdowns. His versatility on the field earned him three Pro Bowl selections and numerous accolades.
Nevertheless, the 2022 season saw a decline in Elliott’s performance, with him rushing for 876 yards and averaging 3.8 yards per carry, both marking personal lows. This dip in productivity let the Cowboys lose hope in him.
As the 2024 draft commences this Thursday, can we witness a homecoming story?
