Ezekiel Elliott can eat in Arlington again.
As long expected, the three-time Pro Bowl running back plans to re-sign with the Dallas Cowboys on Monday, a person familiar with the deal said. dallas morning news. He recently agreed to terms on a one-year contract and will officially return to the team after undergoing a medical examination.
Elliott and his agent met with club officials last week.
Team owner Jerry Jones then publicly acknowledged his interest in a reunion, discussing how Elliott could strengthen the roster. The Cowboys did not draft a running back, so re-signing Elliott would be the most shocking move since Tony Pollard signed with the Tennessee Titans in March.
He joins veteran Royce Freeman as a recently added running back. Rico Doodle, Deuce Vaughn, Hunter Luebke, Malik Davis, Snoop Conner and undrafted rookie Nathaniel Peete round out the backfield, which could further evolve in the coming months.
Elliott will turn 29 in July.
His average yards per carry has steadily decreased from 4.2 yards in 2021 to 3.8 yards in 2022 to 3.5 yards per carry last year. He spent the 2023 season with the New England Patriots. Despite his downward trend, Jones recently told reporters that Elliott still has tread left on his tires.
“He's good enough to be a starter,” Jones said Friday night.
Elliott, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2016 draft, is the third leading rusher in Cowboys history, rushing for 8,262 yards and 68 touchdowns in seven years. He is well-respected within the locker room and is especially close to quarterback Dak Prescott. They were part of the same draft class.
Elliott led the NFL in rushing in the first two of his three seasons and quickly became a fan favorite. His signature “feed me” celebration punctuated many of his best moments on the field. Outside of that, he impacts the Dallas community by raising awareness and donations for the Salvation Army, as well as supporting Oak Cliff, a local non-profit that benefits youth in his community. I am.
Dallas released Elliott in March 2023.
His absence was felt in short-yardage and goal-line situations, as the Cowboys' drives often stalled deep in the red zone.
In New England, he was the leading rusher in a struggling Patriots offense, racking up 642 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 184 carries. When the Patriots visited AT&T Stadium in Arlington last October, the Cowboys honored Elliott with a video montage.
Elliott counts $6 million toward the 2024 salary cap as dead money from his first stint in Dallas. His new contract will apply in addition to that.
The Cowboys are also considering signing Dalvin Cook, which would reunite him with former Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer, who is now the team's defensive coordinator. Elliot nodded in return. At this point, it doesn't appear that a deal for Cook is imminent.
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