Just two years after signing the largest running back contract in history, the Dallas Cowboys and Ezekiel Elliott parted ways.
The Cowboys have since found his replacement with the addition of Ronald Jones. So, where does that leave Zeke?
The Dallas Cowboys moved on from running back Ezekiel Elliott, but head coach Mike McCarthy isn’t fully closing the door on a return.
“Yeah, definitely,” he told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero when asked about a possible reunion now that Elliott is a free agent. “I think you always keep the door open. Absolutely.”
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones wouldn’t rule out a potential return either.
“I don’t want to ever and I don’t want to leave him hanging or fans hanging or anybody,” Jones said, per Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “But I wouldn’t take any possibility off the table.”
Jones also clarified that Dallas didn’t offer the veteran running back a pay cut.
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The Los Angeles Chargers are currently seen as the favorite to land the star, according to the sportsbooks. Los Angeles is given +275 odds. If that happens, that means Zeke will reunite with Kellen Moore, who was let go by the Cowboys this offseason as well.
Zeke has been one of the most talented running backs in the league. Throughout his seven seasons with the Cowboys, Elliott was a beast on the ground, recording 1,881 runs for 8,262 yards and 68 touchdowns. He also was consistent through the air as well, logging 305 receptions for 2,336 yards and adding 12 touchdowns.
However, he posted a career-worst 3.8 yards per carry in 2022 and was a less explosive option than Tony Pollard in the Dallas backfield.
“You know, no one felt good about that,” McCarthy said of releasing Elliott. “I mean, Zeke has such a bright light to him too. He’s a great teammate. There’s so much love for him in the building, but you get to these spots, you know, the longer you’re in this league, these are tough decisions. Very difficult decisions. Very difficult for Dak [Prescott]. You know, I’ve had a number of conversations with Dak, but it’s not easy.”
He is clearly still well-liked in Dallas and just might find himself back in Dallas.
