The deal got here collectively over the previous a number of days however communications have existed for a number of weeks (if not longer), the door at all times being open for Elliott to stroll again by way of it as early as this season.
A steak dinner final week helped to seal the deal, as did the Cowboys exiting this 12 months’s draft with out choosing a working again — a choice that was additionally, although not solely, rooted of their perception in Elliott’s looming return.
Having been launched by the Cowboys following the 2022 season in a transfer that was solely predicated upon a wage cap crunch, Elliott modified his jersey to No. 15 — an homage to his dominance at Ohio State — and signed on with the New England Patriots, the place he had a stable marketing campaign that produced 955 yards from scrimmage with 5 touchdowns in 5 begins.
His 235 touches final season for Invoice Belichick proves the 28-year-old nonetheless has loads of tread left on his tires.
Do the Cowboys imagine Elliott can nonetheless be a starter within the NFL?
Contemplating not one of the Cowboys’ eight draft picks garnered them a working again, Elliott reacquiring the position of RB1 in Dallas is all however promised.
He started his first stint with the Cowboys as their fourth-overall choose within the 2016 NFL Draft, bucking the pattern across the league regarding the downturn of valuation on the working again place. He’d hearth out of the gate in his first 12 months out of Ohio State, incomes PFWA All-Rookie Staff honors earlier than happening to in the end garner three Professional Bowl nods and honors as a two-time All-Professional.
Additionally a two-time NFL speeding champion, Elliott helped quarterback Dak Prescott elevate the Cowboys’ offense to current acquainted heights, all whereas being one of the vital sturdy gamers within the league.
And when he did undergo harm, e.g., torn PCL in 2021, he usually gutted by way of it to stay accessible — a testomony to his gritty resolve and management — nonetheless surpassing the 1,000-yard mark that season.
In all, Elliott rushed for a complete of 8,262 yards and 68 touchdowns, third to solely Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett, whereas having surpassed Dorsett in common speeding yards per recreation (80.2).
“Zeke is, as everyone knows, is one in every of our favorites,” mentioned government vice chairman and director of participant personnel Stephen Jones. “He is laid it on the road for this franchise. He is the final word competitor and we clearly suppose lots of him.”
Equally vital, and arguably extra so, has been his continued dedication to the area people in Dallas by way of his work with The Salvation Military and “For Oak Cliff”— the latter being a neighborhood charity created to assist underprivileged and underserved youth in Southwest Dallas.
Although his soccer abilities have been being utilized in New England final season, Elliott by no means wavered in his group service in a metropolis he nonetheless views as the middle of his coronary heart.
“Dallas is certainly house to me,” Elliott mentioned final September. “Most of my household is already in Dallas.”
And now it is time for his homecoming dance.
