It's always going to be a difficult adjustment to see Ezekiel Elliott suit up for another team. Sure enough, Elliott, who played for the Patriots last season, was tough on the eyes, if only because he didn't take over from Dak Prescott in a Dallas Cowboys uniform, wearing the No. 21 jersey.
A year later, Elliott returned to the team that drafted him. He officially signed a one-year contract with the Cowboys worth a total of $3 million (including $2 million guaranteed). Is it still good? He got his iconic number 21 jersey back.so fans who held onto their Sieg jerseys will be able to represent it with pride again.
Despite being released last March, Elliott's relationship with the Cowboys never wavered. Even after signing with the Patriots, Elliott always spoke positively about Dallas. He never shied away from the shadows or harbored any hard feelings.
2023 never felt like Zeke's final chapter with the Cowboys, and we're excited to have the third leading rusher in series history back.
he came back in seconds #feedseek 🍽️#DallasCowboys | @blockchain pic.twitter.com/DYdd2R3rJL
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) April 30, 2024
“'It feels so good to be back home. I definitely missed being here. I missed this building. I missed Cowboys country. I'm definitely excited and excited to move this forward. i am ready.”
These sentiments are reciprocated by a large contingent of Cowboys Nation. Elliott isn't the soul-sucking rusher he was in his prime, but he's still capable of playing a role in an NFL backfield. Zeke won't be asked to do more than he's capable of, as it's up to the Dallas front office to find an RB1 or even a 1A up to Elliott's 1B.
It never felt like 2023 was Elliott's final chapter in Dallas. Interestingly, so was he. Returning to the Cowboys was always at the forefront of his mind.
“This was my priority. I'm doing what I can. Get back here,” Elliott told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. I'm looking forward to coming back with my friends and chasing that ring.”
It's clear the Cowboys don't think they need a world-class running back because their revamped offensive line will provide more running lanes. Elliott may not have the agility or explosiveness he had earlier in his career, but his vision is second to none. No matter how small, he identifies the hole and powers through it, falling for extra yards after contact.
At the end of the day, signing Elliott isn't a season-saving move. The Cowboys have done a lot of bad things this offseason, but Elliott's return doesn't fall into that category. He can be effective in a limited role and is the perfect mentor for the team's young running back group.
Nostalgia is just an added bonus. Welcome home, Sieg.
