There is reportedly mutual interest between the Cowboys and Ezekiel Elliott in bringing the three-time Pro Bowl running back to Dallas for the 2024 season.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler cited sources in a Saturday report, adding that while a deal has not been reached, both sides are apparently open to the idea.
The 28-year-old two-time rushing champ played in all 17 games of New England’s regular season last year, his first and only away from the Cowboys. And while his rushing attempts, rushing yards, touchdowns, and yards-per-carry average were all career lows, it’s thought that his 6-foot, 226-pound body can still deliver punishment out of the backfield and in pass blocking, components that were largely missing in 2023 with Tony Pollard shouldering the load in Dallas.
Over seven seasons with the Cowboys, Elliott racked up over 8,200 rushing yards and scored 68 touchdowns on the ground. His familiarity with the Dallas offense and his chemistry with teammates and coaches would be a huge plus in a season where the Cowboys must come out of the gates hot and stay comfortably in playoff contention wire to wire.
Whether the fanbase were to view an Elliott return as a step in the right direction after a frustratingly quiet offseason or just another reason to write the team off and look to a 2025 reset is up for debate.
But the Cowboys are at least interested in younger options at the running back position, too.
Texas prospect Jonathon Brooks is among the top running backs who will be available in the upcoming draft, and he already has a 30-visit scheduled with the Cowboys.
Texas RB Jonathon Brooks told me he has a 30-visit scheduled with the Dallas Cowboys.
He remains on track in his recovery and is expected to be cleared in time for training camp. pic.twitter.com/rs243031nF
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisDC) March 20, 2024
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Brooks didn’t work out at the combine or the school’s pro day, as he is still rehabbing a November ACL tear that prematurely ended his only season as the Longhorns’ starter. But in 11 games, he gained over 1,100 yards, scored 10 touchdowns, and showed enough size, speed, strength, and agility to perhaps make the redshirt sophomore an intriguing roll of the dice.
Additionally, Brooks’s surgery was performed by Dr. Dan Cooper, the Cowboys’ head physician, perhaps giving the team an inside track on his progress. And Brooks himself claims he’s on track to be cleared in time for training camp this summer.
The native of Hallettsville, Tex. is considered an explosive runner with good quickness, but perhaps not home-run speed. Weighing just 207 pounds, he may not be as much of a bruiser as Elliott was in his prime (or even is now), but he could prove to be effective as part of the right backfield committee.
Maybe even one in Dallas that also includes Ezekiel Elliott.
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