Mike McCarthy reveals plan for Dallas Cowboys offense without Ezekiel Elliott

The Dallas Cowboys said goodbye to Ezekiel Elliott as one of their biggest moves of the offseason and figuring out how to replace his production has moved up the priority list for head coach Mike McCarthy.

This week at NFL team meetings, McCarthy reflected on the former first-round draft pick’s impact on the team, on the field and off. This week at NFL team meetings, McCarthy reflected on the former first-round draft pick’s impact on the team, on the field and off.

“In my time what I admired about Zeke was going back to the pandemic, when we had our meetings in the Ford Center, Zeke sat in the first seat front row,” McCarthy said. “He’s very coachable. Great teammate. He’s loved in the locker room. So all those things factored. But I think just like anything the financial puzzle you’re always trying to put together and build and grow your football team. But these decisions are very difficult.”

McCarthy solving for Cowboys offense without Zeke

Although reports spread about Elliott potentially landing with the Eagles, Jets or Bengals, so far, the former Buckeye is still available on the free agency market. As he continues the process of finding a new home, the Cowboys are processing what to do with all of his touches.

“Any time you have a big change like this – just look at Zeke’s opportunities and I’ll just speak on my time with him the last few years – where do those touches go?” McCarthy said. “So much of this game is made about how many times you run it or pass it, but it’s really about how do you get the ball distributed to your perimeter players, and it’s no different than Tony (Pollard).

“Sitting there having Tony and Zeke conversations in the offensive staff – it’s how are we going to get these guys to touch the ball? That won’t change. You just look at where these touches go and do some of the touches go to receivers, tight ends, the new backs definitely absorb some of those opportunities, Tony’s will probably go up.”

Elliott’s 231 touches and 876 yards from the 2022 season aren’t the only things McCarthy needs to replace. The team’s second-leading receiver from last season, Dalton Schultz, is now with the Houston Texans.

The Cowboys added Brandin Cooks and Ronald Jones but will also likely look to bolster the offense with draft picks at running back and receiver or tight end.