Ezekiel Elliott is back in the saddle again.
The Dallas Cowboys on Monday agreed to terms on a contract with Elliott, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport.
Elliott, 28, and his agent had met with the Cowboys to discuss a potential reunion this past week, with owner Jerry Jones acknowledging his team’s interest in the longtime Dallas running back while also expressing his belief that Elliott could still be a starter in the NFL.
The Cowboys released Elliott after seven seasons in March of 2023, and the St. Louis, Mo. native did not find work until training camp, when he inked a one-year deal with the New England Patriots in August of ’23.
Elliott, working in tandem with Patriots starter Rhamondre Stevenson, appeared in all 17 games, tallying 642 rushing yards and three touchdowns, both career lows for the Ohio State product.
Elliott joins a Cowboys running back room in need of a proven veteran after 2023 leading rusher Tony Pollard departed in free agency in March.
Along with Elliott, Dallas has running backs Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, Royce Freeman and Malik Davis on its roster.
Elliott ranks third on the Cowboys’ all-time rushing yards list, having amassed 8,262 yards on the ground in his career in Dallas.
Dallas Cowboys add undrafted free agent who had not played organized football until age 17
The Dallas Cowboys left the NFL Draft addressing key needs across the roster and have been actively signing undrafted rookie free agents.
Jerry Jones addressed the offensive and defensive lines in the early rounds, key pieces of the squad in desperate need of starters.
America’s Team also found Leighton Vander Esch’s replacement in Marist Liufau, a rookie out of Notre Dame.
The Cowboys add much-needed depth on the final day of the NFL Draft
In rounds five and six, the Cowboys added further depth at cornerback and their wide receiving core.
Furthermore, the Cowboys had acquired two picks in the final round of the NFL Draft and added an OT and a DT.
The front office will walk away from the Draft very satisfied with their decisions as they have secured multiple starters for 2024.
However, the fun does not stop there and there is now a free-for-all in the undrafted free agent market.
Franchises will be scrambling to secure signatures and obtain uncovered gems in the depth of the class.
History has proven that stacks of talent will remain in the rookie open market and their dreams of playing in the NFL can finally be fulfilled.
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Dallas Cowboys signed an undrafted rookie who did not play football until 17
The Dallas Cowboys have not been hesitant in the rookie free agency, unlike the professional one.
Moreover, only two outside free agents arrived at The Star in Frisco, Royce Freeman and Eric Kendricks.
Nonetheless, they have acquired a unique rookie from the University of Illinois.
Dallas has welcomed further depth at defensive tackle after luring Denzel Daxon to the Cowboys.
Daxon joins an undrafted rookie and is a Bahamas native who did not play football until 17.
Per Dallas Morning News reporter Michael Gehlken, the team continues to embrace the untapped potential in athletes who have arrived later to football.
Dallas took a gamble on Brandon Aubrey back in 2023
The Cowboys have a progressive mindset of considering players who may not have played the sport since their younger age.
Take Brandon Aubrey for example, the Cowboys kicker did not take an interest in football until 2019.
In 2023, he was regarded as the best kicker in the league gaining First-Team All-Pro status.
The 29-year-old is a fantastic example that highlights the Cowboys can find exceptional talent despite being later arrivals to the sport.
Ultimately, the five-time Super Bowl winners will be hopeful Daxon can follow a similar trajectory to Aubrey.