Troy Aikman says Dallas Cowboys will 'really miss' Ezekiel Elliott as a core player

It’s been quite some time since the Dallas Cowboys knew life in the backfield without Ezekiel Elliott. However, that has become a reality with the franchise’s decision to release the Pro Bowl running back.

In his opinion, Troy Aikman thinks it’s going to be a big hurdle for the team to overcome. When speaking about Elliott, Aikman recalled how long he has been making an impact in Dallas. Filling that void, both on the field and in the locker room, is going to be a big challenge and he thinks the team knows it too.

“Those decisions? And Jerry commented on it. It’s hard,” Aikman said. “These players, their time? I know he’s not retiring. But it just seems like a couple of years ago he joined the team. I remember when he came in as a rookie and all the expectations of what he might do.”

“I’m a big fan of Zeke’s. I think that regardless of whatever anyone’s opinion is of him as far as what he was able to do as a running back? I think they’re gonna really miss one of their real core players in that locker room. And I always felt like, when I was playing, there are guys you don’t just replace” said Aikman. “They have a big impact, regardless of whatever they’re doing on the field, with the continuity and the success of a football team. I really think that Zeke is one of those guys. And I’m not alone. I think the Cowboys understand that as well. That’s what made this decision so gut-wrenching.”

Elliott leaves Dallas with the third most rushing yards (8,262) and the third most rushing touchdowns (68) in franchise history. He did so in 103 career games as a Cowboys.

Unfortunately, his production fell off over the duration of his time on the roster. Over his first three seasons, he led the NFL in rush yards per game in all three. He also led the league in total rushes and yards in two of those three. From there, though, he has made just one Pro Bowl as, while he has still put up numbers, he hasn’t put up as much as he had and they weren’t as impactful.

For the first time since 2015, the backfield in Dallas will not feature Elliott. That’ll be a lot for Dallas to make up for next season in the running back room but, in Aikman’s opinion, it will also be a lot to make up for in the locker room as a whole for Dallas in 2023.