As soon as the news about the possibility of the Cowboys and former standout running back, Ezekiel Elliott rejoining the team surfaced, a cautionary reminder appeared. The reunion might not be a wise decision. In a time when the team has made little progress and set itself up for a tough future, rehiring Elliott could provide a much-needed positive moment for Dallas.
However, this positive moment would be short-lived, as rehiring Elliott would result in a bleak outlook for the Cowboys' running back position in the short term. If he's rehired, the team would have to play him, which would surely bring back the issues that led to his departure last year.
This advice comes from a recent article by analyst LP Cruz titled “Cowboys free agents: 2 big reasons why the Cowboys should not re-sign Ezekiel Elliott” on the SB Nation site, “Blogging the Boys.”
Cowboys Might Insist on Playing Beloved Star
The first reason mentioned is the comparison to the situation with Jason Witten, a former franchise hero, whose production was forced by the team despite his declining performance.
That Similar circumstances could arise with Elliott, who has had an outstanding career as a Cowboys running back, leading the league in rushing as a rookie and in his third season. He has 68 touchdowns in seven seasons, as well as three Pro Bowl appearances and one first-team All-Pro selection. In light of his track record, the Cowboys wouldn't sign Elliott to be a benchwarmer. His presence could hinder any attempts to rebuild the running back room. The article highlights concerns about Elliott's durability and the team's inclination to make him the primary runner due to his contributions and consistency over the years. This loyalty to established players could be detrimental if Elliott returns.
Ezekiel Elliott Has Lost a Step (or Two)
As is common with NFL running backs, Elliott's performance declined after an impressive start to his career. By his final season in Dallas in 2022, his yards per game and yards per carry had decreased significantly.
Despite getting another opportunity with the Patriots last year, his yards per carry dropped further to just 3.5. This decline in performance is another reason to refrain from rehiring Elliott: He is no longer as effective. Cruz wrote.
Cruz noted observations about Elliott's declining explosiveness and elusiveness in his recent performance, pointing out unfavorable statistics regarding his juke rate, breakaway runs, and expected points added. These factors illustrate his diminished productivity, particularly during his time with the New England Patriots last year, where his rushing average hit a low of 3.5 yards per carry.
The absence of quickness, ability to avoid tackles, and swiftness make Elliott not attractive.
Cowboys fans may feel sentimental when they see Ezekiel Elliott back at The Star, but there are reasons to wish that doesn't occur.
Wrote Cruz: “When you watch Elliott play, you can see the lack of consistent explosiveness. Furthermore, elusiveness has also been a point of discussion. According to playerprofiler.com, the stats don’t reflect well for Elliott. In 2023, he had a juke rate of 15.3% (#42), just one breakaway run, and perhaps most damning, and expected points added of -55.3 (150th), and last year with the New England Patriots, Elliott had his worst production per carry with a mere 3.5 yards per rush.
“The lack of explosiveness, elusiveness, and speed make Elliott an unappealing option.”
