Report: Dallas Cowboys, Ezekiel Elliott have mutual interest in reunion

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, there is mutual interest between the Dallas Cowboys and Ezekiel Elliott regarding a reunion between the two. Elliott has spent all but one season of his NFL career with the Cowboys but was cut ahead of the 2023 season.

Now, the beloved running back could be heading back to Dallas. Nothing has been made official but there is a reported interest level to monitor the situation.

“The Dallas Cowboys and free-agent running back Ezekiel Elliott have mutual interest in a reunion, sources tell ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler,” an ESPN article said. “While a deal between Elliott and his former club has not been reached, both sides are open to it, sources added.”

Dallas is still a bit lost at running back heading into April. Tony Pollard left in free agency while Rico Dowdle resigned on a cheap contract. But Dowdle likely is not viewed as the starter, leaving the Cowboys with a giant hole in their offensive personnel.

Selecting somebody at the end of the month in the 2024 NFL Draft is certainly an option. Plenty of running backs are expected to be available on the final two days in Detroit.

Even so, the Cowboys would not have anybody with a ton of experience in the room. Dowdle has less than 100 carries in his career and if Dallas decides to go with a rookie, their number will sit at zero.

Elliott could come in and provide a veteran face with some experience, even if the 2023 season was not kind to him with the New England Patriots.

In 17 games last season, Elliott wound up starting in just five. He recorded career-low stats in all major categories, having 642 yards and three touchdowns on 184 attempts. Even with the fewer carries, the running back’s YPC fell below 3.5 for the second consecutive year.

The Cowboys originally selected Elliott with the fourth overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. He entered the league at the same time as Dak Prescott, with the duo having success together over the course of seven years in Dallas. You have to imagine Prescott would be up for getting the band back together as well.

A report from Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News on March 26 stated the Cowboys were looking into signing one of Elliott or Dalvin Cook. Both would be expected to have similar roles but Elliott seems to have had further talks with Dallas.