Along with the jersey number of recently signed former first-round pick Ezekiel Elliott, the Dallas Cowboys unveiled a number of adjustments for the 2024 campaign on Tuesday.
Elliott will wear No. 21 once more after donning No. 15 with the New England Patriots. For Cowboys supporters who kept their Zeke jerseys after the team cut him loose during the previous offseason, there is good news.
Following his play in No. 15 with the Patriots, there was significant uncertainty regarding Elliott’s return to his natural number of 21. He played with the same number 15 jersey while he was a standout member of the Ohio State Buckeyes. Unfortunately, the opportunity to have 21 next to No. 4 Dak Prescott, which stands for the DFW 214 area code, is too wonderful to be missed.
Veteran cornerback Stephon Gilmore was given the No. 21 jersey by the Cowboys last season. Gilmore’s contract expires this offseason, so he’s still free to sign.
The team also revealed Elliott’s new number and a number of roster changes from the previous campaign. Wide receiver Maratvis Bryant, who temporarily wore number 17, will now wear number 84. Prior to his contract expiring, Sean McKeon, who was a member of the practice squad for the majority of the 2023 season, wore 84 games. The No. 1 jersey, which safety Jayron Kearse wore prior to the team letting him depart in free agency this offseason, is now being worn by wide receiver Jalen Tolbert.
In addition, linebacker Damone Clark is moving from the 33rd to the 18th slot. When Clark played for the LSU Tigers, he wore number 18. The player wearing the No. 18 jersey, according to LSU tradition, stands in for the team as a leader both on and off the field.
Ezekiel Elliott talked candidly this week about his return to the Dallas Cowboys following his release from the team in a May exclusive interview with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. While some detractors, such as Skip Bayless, have referred to the team’s choice as a “PR move,” Elliott is well aware of his goals for his second chance with Dallas.
After being released by the Cowboys, the former first-round draft pick made his way to New England, where he took the necessary steps to regain his place on Mike McCarthy’s roster.
