Ezekiel Elliott says he has unfinished business on returning to Cowboys
FRISCO, Texas – When Ezekiel Elliott was introduced to the Riders Field crowd Wednesday before the Reliant Energy Home Run Derby, it was like coming home.
Elliott signed a one-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday and participated in on-field practice this week after spending last year with the New England Patriots.
“It was important to me to come back here and finish what I started,” Elliott said at the Cowboys’ annual fundraiser.
Elliott spent the first seven years of his career with the Cowboys, becoming the franchise’s third all-time leading rusher behind Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett. He was selected to the Pro Bowl three times and All-Pro once. He appeared in 103 games, rushing for 8,262 yards, 1,881 carries, and 68 touchdowns. He caught 305 passes for 12 touchdowns and 2,336 yards.
He led the Patriots in rushing yards (642 yards) and reception yards (51 yards) last year, and although he hasn’t had a 100-yard rushing game since 2021, he has no intention of relinquishing his spot as the starting running back.
“At the end of the day, I’m a football player. I love the game,” Elliott said. “I still think I’m a dominant guy. I’ve got to go out there and prove it.
No one is more excited about Elliott’s return than Dak Prescott. Elliott and Prescott have developed a close bond since they were drafted together in 2016. “He’s a real guy,” Prescott said. “He’s honest, and what you see is what you get.
He can have fun, but when he gets serious and sticks with it, nobody’s better than him… That’s something all the young guys should emulate, and the way he works is going to be huge for this team.”
Elliott said he’s still learning the subtle changes made to the offense now that Mike McCarthy is calling the plays.
He will be asked to lead a different running back room than the one he left with Rico Dowdle, Royce Freeman, Deuce Vaughn, Hunter Lupke, Malik Davis and Snoop Conner. The Cowboys didn’t select a running back in last week’s draft, but agreed to terms with undrafted free agent Nathaniel Peete.
“We have a lot of young guys, a lot of talented guys with different skill sets,” Elliott said.
One thing will be different when Elliott returns: His jersey number will be No. 15, which he wore at New England and Ohio State, instead of No. 21, which he wore in Dallas. “I just see it as a different time,” he said.
But the goal is the same as before.
“I still have work left to do,” he said. “I’m here looking for a ring.”
