The Dallas Cowboys are certainly exploring their options at running back after seeing lead back Tony Pollard depart in free agency. A reunion with Ezekiel Elliott is among the rumored possibilities to help fill out the room.
Is the Time Right for Ezekiel Elliott To Return to Dallas?
Rumors have popped up for some time that Elliott could return to Dallas after the pair appeared to amicably part ways when he was released for salary cap purposes back in March of last year.
Multiple people familiar with the thinking of Elliott and fellow free agent running back Dalvin Cook told The Dallas Morning News that the veterans have interest in potentially signing with the Cowboys, according to Michael Gehlken of The News.
Elliott seems to still have strong relationships within the franchise despite his release. A reunion could be productive for both sides, as Elliott found himself in more of a secondary role with the New England Patriots last season.
He tallied career-lows of 184 carries for 642 yards and three touchdowns across 17 appearances, including just five starts. Elliott is not far removed from rushing for 1,000+ yards in four of his seven seasons with Dallas, including in 2021.
Although he’s getting up in age for a running back, Elliott could be a significant veteran presence in a Cowboys RB room in need of shoring up.
Cook is another veteran back who could help fill that void. He also left his long-time home, the Minnesota Vikings, to play for both the New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens in 2023.
It was not a terribly productive year for Cook, with just 67 carries for 214 yards in 15 regular-season appearances, including one start, a far cry from his four straight seasons with 1,110+ yards from 2019-22.
Still, a new situation with Dallas could be just what Cook needs to get back to his old numbers, or at least in the neighborhood of them.
For the Vikings, Cook was a team captain when Mike Zimmer — now the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator — was Minnesota’s head coach. That relationship with Zimmer could mean plenty in Dallas’ evaluation of its options.
ESPN NFL Insider Reports Mutual Interest Between Elliott and the Cowboys
There is now even more smoke about Elliott returning to Dallas. On Saturday evening, ESPN NFL Insider Jeremy Fowler reported that Elliott and the Cowboys have mutual interest.
Fowler added that while both sides are open to a reunion, a deal has not been reached at this time.
In his first season away from Dallas, Fowler said that the Cowboys were impressed with Elliott’s 2023 campaign in New England, particularly with his durability as he played in all 17 regular-season games.
A Look at Dallas’ RB Depth Chart
Regardless of where the Cowboys ultimately look for running back help, it’s clear the franchise needs to add to its current room.
Dallas is certainly lacking proven production at the spot after Pollard signed with the Tennessee Titans in free agency. He accounted for much of the Cowboys’ rushing yardage last season, alongside some sparing production from Rico Dowdle and quarterback Dak Prescott.
Dowdle re-signed with Dallas in free agency after tallying 89 carries for 361 yards and two touchdowns across 16 appearances last year.
Outside of Dowdle, the Cowboys also have 2023 draft pick Deuce Vaughn, who saw sparing playing time with just 40 rushing yards and 40 receiving yards in seven appearances.
Fullback Hunter Luepke saw similarly little action last year but remains an option in the room.
All of that points to one reality — that Dallas needs to add running back help one way or another, either via the draft, free agency, or perhaps both.
KEEP READING: Other Potential Landing Spots for Ezekiel Elliott
“I think we definitely want to add to the running back room,” head coach Mike McCarthy said. “We’re not done with that room by no means, whether it’s a veteran, whether it is a draft pick. Signing Rico back was important. He’s definitely someone that was part of the one-two rotation last year, so we feel good about him.
“But we’ve got some young guys in here that look to [make a] jump. …. You look at Hunter, Deuce [Vaughn] and even Malik [Davis]. I’m expecting them to take a big jump and compete for playing time.”
Time will tell how the Cowboys ultimately proceed, but their moves at running back will be key in how the franchise fares this season.
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