The deal was finalized in the last few days, but communications have been going on for weeks (if not longer), and there's always a chance Elliott breaks the deal as early as this season.
Last week's steak dinner helped seal the deal, as did the Cowboys withdrawing from this year's draft without selecting a running back. Although not entirely, the decision was also rooted in belief in Elliott's imminent return.
Elliott, who was released by the Cowboys after the 2022 season in a move based entirely on the salary cap crisis, changed his jersey to No. 15 in honor of his overwhelming strength at Ohio State University and Signed with England Patriots. There he had a solid campaign, scoring five touchdowns and gaining 955 yards from scrimmage in five starts.
His 235 touches for Bill Belichick last season proves the 28-year-old still has plenty of tread on his tires.
Do the Cowboys believe Elliott can still be a starter in the NFL?
Considering that none of the Cowboys' eight draft picks took a running back, it's all but guaranteed that Elliott will reclaim the RB1 role in Dallas.
He began his first stint with the Cowboys as the No. 4 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, bucking a league-wide trend of undergrading the running back position. He quickly distinguished himself in his first year out of Ohio State, earning PFWA All-Rookie Team honors and eventually earning three Pro Bowl nominations and two-time All-Pro honors. did.
A two-time NFL rushing champion, Elliott has helped quarterback Dak Prescott elevate the Cowboys' offense to recently familiar heights while being one of the most durable players in the league.
And even when he suffered injuries in 2021, including a torn PCL, it was a testament to his gritty determination and leadership that he was able to often play through injuries, still reaching the 1,000-yard mark that season. exceeded.
In total, Elliott totaled 8,262 yards and 68 touchdowns, ranking third behind Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett, and ahead of Dorsett in average rushing yards per game (80.2).
“As everyone knows, Zeke is one of our favorites,” said Stephen Jones, executive vice president and director of player personnel. “He put his life on the line for this franchise. He's the ultimate competitor and we obviously care about him a lot.”
Equally important, and perhaps even more important, was his continued dedication to the local Dallas community through his work with the Salvation Army and Four Oak Cliffs. The latter is a local charity founded to support disadvantaged and underserved youth in Southwest Dallas.
While his football talents were put to use in New England last season, Elliott never wavered from his commitment to community service in the city that remains so close to his heart.
“Dallas is definitely my hometown,” Elliott said last September. “Most of my family is already in Dallas.”
And now it's time for his homecoming dance.
