The Dallas Cowboys may be one of the younger teams in football, but their core is becoming stuck with the franchise.
Quarterback Dak Prescott is currently without a new contract, carrying a large cap heading into the 2024 season, his final season with the Boys. Other players like wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and defensive star Micah Parsons are also awaiting new contracts. Older stars like Tyron Smith have already left the team in free agency, but the core that helped Dallas remain one of the winningest regular-season teams over the past decade continues to deteriorate. ing.
January 22, 2023. Santa Clara, California, USA.Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs
Kyle Terrada-USA TODAY Sports
That's what makes teams' interest in former All-Pro running back Ezekiel Elliott so intriguing.
At his peak, Elliott was not only the best running back in football, but one of the best players in the entire league. He led the league in rushing in two of his first three seasons and had over 2,000 yards of total offense in 2019. That's an impressive feat for a running back these days.
However, after another Pro Bowl season in 2020, the Ohio State product struggled to maintain consistency. The hard hitting he took at the position early in his career took away much of his burst and effectiveness as an Erie Down ball carrier.
Last season, the Cowboys allowed Elliott to sign with the Patriots in free agency, and the veteran broke ground after rushing for less than 800 yards for the first time in his career.
Elliott may be in the final stages of his career, but Dallas' interest says a lot about the team, not just that they're trying to address a key position of need. With so many open spots on the roster, the Cowboys will enter the 2024 season with lower expectations after three consecutive 12-win seasons. If Elliott returns, it could be a sign that the Cowboys want to ride one last time with the core that has made them one of the league's regular-season winning teams in recent years.
But the only thing standing in their way is success in the playoffs.
And by that metric, it's hard to see Elliott producing at a life-changing level for the Cowboys.
