NFL Trade Rumors: Dallas Cowboys Nearing Reunion With Running Back Ezekiel Elliott

You CAN go home again. According to ESPN's Todd Archer, the Dallas Cowboys are inching closer to bringing back three-time Pro Bowl running back Ezekiel Elliott, who left the team last offseason to play for the New England Patriots.

Amid their running back shortage, the Cowboys are closer to an Ezekiel Elliott reunion that seems likely to happen.

Story via @toddarcher:https://t.co/ijP9fCNmng
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 27, 2024

Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones spoke glowingly of Elliott yesterday following Day 2 of the NFL Draft. He said he believes Elliott "can still be a starter" in the league and that the Cowboys are "keenly interested in seeing what the future might look like with Zeke."

The Cowboys clearly have an opening at running back. They failed to draft a running back within the first three rounds of the NFL Draft, and last year's leading rusher, Tony Pollard, left for the Tennessee Titans in free agency. Elliott led the Patriots last year in rushing (642 yards) and yards from scrimmage (955).

Somehow still only 28 years old, Elliott has clearly lost a step from his early days as a superstar with the Cowboys. After being taken 4th overall in the 2016 NFL Draft, Elliot delivered a rookie season for the ages, leading the league in rushing with 1631 yards. He would go on to lead the league in rushing yards per game over each of his first three seasons, earning a massive six-year, $90 million extension in 2019.

Elliott didn't quite live up to that extension, but he clearly still has a good relationship in place with the Cowboys brass. He won't move the needle for the Cowboys offense, but he can provide veteran leadership, eat up touches, and handle some dirty work near the goal line. At this point in the offseason, the Cowboys are unlikely to find a cheaper, better option. So long as Elliott can be had at a reasonable price, a reunion makes sense for both sides.