The Dallas Cowboys have not found a replacement for RB Tony Pollard yet. Tony Pollardhas not been replaced, but there's a chance Ezekiel Elliott could return. A recent report from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler talks about the mutual interest between Dallas and Ezekiel Elliott.
Fowler's report came out on March 30 and discusses the efforts of both sides to bring Elliott back to Dallas.
The Dallas Cowboys and free agent running back Ezekiel Elliott are both interested in reuniting, according to sources from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Ezekiel Elliott and the Cowboys are open to joining forces again, according to Fowler. Fowler wrotethat a deal has not been reached yet, but both sides are willing to consider it.
The potential return of Elliott to Dallas after their split in 2023 is quite remarkable. The longtime Cowboys RB was released last year due to a high salary and lack of trade options. He then signed with the New England Patriots, but his performance declined in various stats. New England Patriots became his new team after his departure from Dallas.
After a less than stellar season away from Dallas, it's likely that Elliott's asking price has decreased. Consequently, the Cowboys might be able to bring him back at a lower cost. Since he is familiar with the Jones family and the organization, signing him for the right price could be a smart move for Dallas. the Jones family and the organization well, so signing for the right price point could be a shrewd move for Dallas.
Ezekiel Elliott Takes New England Detour
Unable to reach an agreement, Elliott needed to find a new team and found a home with the New England Patriots. Bill Belichick was the one who offered him this opportunity. This was a chance for the former Ohio State Buckeye to prove that he was still a top-tier RB, but it's clear that things didn't work out as expected.
According to Pro Football Reference, Elliott ran for 642 yards on 184 carries. He also scored 5 total touchdowns and gained 313 receiving yards. Despite having a significant role, Elliott was only the team's starting RB in 5 games.
His average of 3.5 yards per carry was the lowest of his career. His average yards per rush dropped over the past two years, going from 4.2 in 2021 to 3.8 in 2022 and then 3.5 in 2023.
This raises some concerns about Elliott's performance. It's clear that he's not as effective as he used to be. However, signing him could still be a valuable move for the Cowboys. However, he doesn't seem to be the primary RB anymore.
Cowboys HC Speaks on Free Agency Approach
The report about a potential reunion contrasts with recent statements from the Cowboys' leadership. Head coach Mike McCarthy mentioned that the team is not currently active in free agency.
“We're just not part of the free agent market right now… Also there’s a lot left,” McCarthy said, as Heavy previously covered. “You’ll probably have a market right before the draft or post-draft, and then you got your June 1 market and obviously we’ll have another draft class.”
In that quote, McCarthy clearly states that Dallas isn’t ruling out any future moves. But the comment + the team’s lack of activity clearly showed they are taking their time.
Elliott does feel like a different situation, though. The established relationship has likely expedited the channels of communication.
