The Dallas Cowboys have still only signed one outside free agent, even with the NFL being one week and two days into the free agency period.
Dallas is in the process of re-tooling the team after being bounced in the first round of the playoffs. With the losses of Tyron Smith, Dorance Armstrong, Tyler Biadasz, Dante Fowler, Neville Gallimore, Noah Igbinoghene, and Johnathan Hankins, with just $7,775,312 in cap space, the margin of error has been magnified tenfold.
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Could Ezekiel Elliott Return?
It’s been loss after loss in free agency for the Cowboys this season, and one spot that reared its head multiple times is the running back position. Not only did Dallas lose Tony Pollard to the Tennessee Titans, but the team also missed out on signing Derrick Henry (Baltimore Ravens), Josh Jacobs (Green Bay Packers), Joe Mixon (Houston Texans), and Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia Eagles), amongst others.
One player that has come up in talks is Ezekiel Elliott. The former New England Patriots RB is incredibly familiar with the Cowboys’ brass, and it would come as no surprise to see him return to Dallas, according to Pro Football Network’s Tony Catalina.
In seven seasons with the Cowboys, Elliott had 1,881 rushing attempts for 8,262 yards and 68 touchdowns. He also had 305 catches for 2,336 yards and 12 touchdowns.
“It was reported just last week by a media member within the Cowboys’ facility that a reunion is not out of the question between Elliott and the team,” Catalina wrote. “With the lack of activity on the open market for the veteran RB, it might set itself up nicely for that plan to happen.
“Elliott will surely command somewhere close to the veteran minimum, and if he does, that’s exactly where the Cowboys want to be. Zeke understands the system, he knows the team, and he’s still well-respected in that locker room. A reunion may make the most sense for both parties involved.”
Stephon Gilmore Could Potentially Re-Sign With Dallas
The discussions of a return don’t end with Elliott. Cornerback Stephon Gilmore could also find himself back with the Cowboys next season.
Gilmore, 33, was traded to Dallas this time last season from the Indianapolis Colts for a compensatory fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He contributed 68 tackles (54 solo), two interceptions, 13 pass deflections, and a forced fumble.
Like with Elliott, Catalina believes that Dallas remains a great fit for Gilmore.
“The veteran cornerback’s most recent stop came with the Dallas Cowboys, and as we turn the page in 2024, it may once again be a good fit for him,” Catalina wrote. “Gilmore is well-respected in any locker room he steps into, but he was able to help mold and grow a group in Dallas that looks to be one of the most talented in the NFL.
“Bringing Gilmore back will allow for budding star DaRon Bland to play the nickel corner spot and Gilmore and Trevon Diggs to be the outside CBs like they intended for 2023 before Diggs’ ACL tear.”
However, MassLive’s Karen Guregian wrote that a return to the Patriots could be in the hunt for Gilmore. He spent 2017-2020 with New England, playing 56 games, and had 11 interceptions, with two returned for a touchdown.
Gilmore added 52 passes defensed, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, a sack, 185 tackles (161 solo), three tackles for loss, and a quarterback hit.
“A source told MassLive the veteran corner was open to all options, including another go-round with the Patriots,” Guregian wrote on Tuesday.
With that said, Gilmore still wants to be in Dallas if he’s offered a contract by the team.
“I want to come back,” he said last month during a Dallas radio appearance. “We can’t talk until March. But that’s the goal, because I think we do have the pieces to get to where we want to go, and I want to be part of that.”
3 Reasons Why the Cowboys Have Been Inactive in Free Agency
Pro Football Network’s Dallas Robinson gave three reasons why the Cowboys haven’t been more involved in adding free agents.
KEEP READING: 2024 NFL Free Agents by Position
The first reason is the lack of cap space. Dallas’ second reason is the team’s inability to extend Dak Prescott and bring his $55.455 million cap number down. Lastly, it’s just not Dallas’ M.O. to sign outside free agents.
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