“I don't want any surprises,” he told 105.3FM the Fan when the question was posed.
Elliott, the Cowboys' No. 4 overall pick in 2016, joined quarterback Dak Prescott that season as two rookies who took the NFL by storm and ushered in a new era in Dallas.
The team opted to part ways with the 28-year-old this offseason, and he finished his career at North Texas as third on the franchise's all-time rushing yards list with 8,262, behind Tony Dorsett and Emmitt Smith. Playing 54 fewer games and in the pass-heavy culture of professional football, his five rushing touchdowns were behind Dorsett (72) for second place in the same category.
Elliott also ranks third in 100-yard games and fifth in yards from scrimmage.
Jones went on to express exactly where Elliott fits into the heart of the organization.
“He was one of the best teammates I had the privilege of watching with the Cowboys,” Jones said. “He was an inspiration. His practice habits were off the charts. He practiced like every play was for every marble.
“He had a very unique skill set as a running back, being able to lower his pads and lower his center of gravity. I think he's at the top of the list for backs that opposing teams don't like to tackle. … I will always remember his positive attitude.
“He has the perfect mentality to play this game and become a professional.”
The goal will be to keep Elliott, though. [and Rhamondre Stevenson] Jones and others know this all too well, having just teed off just one week after the Cardinals ran for 222 yards on the ground.
Elliott, for his part, acknowledged that the Patriots will work hard to balance his feelings with the duties he had with his former team.
“It's going to be a little bit more interesting and a little different against guys that I've played with for a long time, but I'm not trying to focus too much on that,” he said. “I'm trying to focus on going out there and winning football games. … I don't have a lot of time to get emotional. I've got to prepare for the game, go out there and do my best. But… , there are feelings.
“I might be able to hide it well. I'm sure I have emotions, but I have to go out and perform.”
He also has no hard feelings toward the Cowboys, who are returning to Dallas to lead the way and transition into the Tony Pollard era.
“Business is business,” he said, explaining how close he was with his staff and the entire locker room.
“The Cowboys roster was very special to me,” he said. “Just getting to know all of them and when the younger players come in, I can take them under my guidance and show them the way.”
The aforementioned Pollard was one of the young players Elliott mentioned in the past, and the two got off to a fast start when Pollard was acquired by the Cowboys as a fourth-round pick in 2019. And it was that quickly-forming brotherhood that ultimately led to Pollard earning his first Pro Bowl honor in 2022, making them perhaps the most destructive duo in the NFL.
Pollard and Elliott, dubbed “the sledgehammer and the sword” by former Cowboys running backs coach Skip Pete, continue to speak regularly, texting everything from football advice to funny memes. It is shared by .
“At the end of the day, outside of football, outside of everything, that's my brother,” Pollard said. “We're still communicating. We're still in touch. There's going to be some emotions, but we're going to be out there taking care of business.
“He's been a huge influence on me playing this game. Watching him, how he approaches the game, his preparation throughout the week, studying film and just watching him. I observed him trying to gather his wits.”
And as is often the case with the family, you can expect them to try to outdo each other on the field in this game, which is an important matchup for both teams.
“Yeah, 100 percent,” Pollard said of Sunday's fraternal tournament. “…I'm very excited. It's going to be like home for him. I'm looking forward to the challenge. We'll have to get the dubbing, but I'm looking forward to it.”
Elliott feels the same way and is looking forward to the welcoming hugs from fans.
It enthusiastically participated in Elliott's famous “feed me” gesture over the years and raised millions of dollars for charity after his unforgettable touchdown jump into the red kettle in the back of the end zone. The same arena you helped collect.
“I think it's going to be a good experience,” said the former two-time NFL rushing champion. “I had a lot of great times with the fans at AT&T Stadium, so I'm looking forward to coming back and seeing them again. Even though I'll be wearing a different uniform, I think it'll be a good experience.”
Speaking of philanthropy, Elliott's influence in the Metroplex extends far beyond his work on Arlington's lawns. In addition to all of his work with the Salvation Army mentioned above, he also became involved with a local charity called For Oak Cliff, which supports disadvantaged and underserved youth in Southwest Dallas. .
For Elliott, it was always bigger than football.
“Dallas is definitely my hometown,” said the former two-time All-Pro. “Most of my family is already in Dallas, and it brings back all the great memories obviously through outreach like the Salvation Army — that game when I jumped into the Salvation Army. [Red Kettle] and collect donations [for them].
“My relationship with Four Oak Cliffs is really close to my heart and they do a great job for Oak Cliff. From the first time I went there, they They welcomed me into their community with open arms. I'm just grateful to them.”
The feeling is definitely mutual.
“Everyone wants their accomplishments on the team to be what they accomplished on the field. I accomplished a lot on the field when I was in Dallas,” Elliott said. “But I also want my legacy to be something that is meaningful to the community and what I've done to give back to the community.”
And it's that kind of philanthropy and dominance in uniform that has made Elliott one of the most unforgettable players in the history of one of the most storied organizations in history. It will almost guarantee that you will leave your mark as a human being. Sports.
He gave his all in Dallas, and the city will never forget it.
It may not have ended like a fairy tale, but it was a very rewarding read.
