Ezekiel Elliott's tenure with the Dallas Cowboys has come to an end, as the team has decided to waive the veteran running back. This marks the second time in three years that Elliott has been released by the Cowboys, having previously been let go after the 2022 season due to salary cap constraints. Following his release, Elliott signed a one-year contract with the New England Patriots for the 2023 season, which included performance-based incentives that could have brought the total value to $3 million.
As the Cowboys make this move, it is believed they are providing Elliott with an opportunity to join a playoff team, should he clear waivers. Throughout the 2023 season, Elliott has struggled with production, accumulating just 226 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 74 carries, with a maximum of 40 yards in a single game. His performance has been further hampered by being deactivated for a game due to missed meetings.
Despite his struggles, Elliott remains a respected figure within the Cowboys' locker room, with Coach Mike McCarthy praising his contributions as a teammate. With the emergence of Rico Dowdle as the lead running back, Elliott's role diminished significantly, and he has only seen limited snaps in recent games. He managed to score a touchdown in a Week 16 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, bringing his career total to 71 touchdowns as a Cowboy, placing him third in franchise history behind legends Tony Dorsett and Emmitt Smith.
During his time with the Cowboys from 2016 to 2022, Elliott amassed 8,262 rushing yards and set multiple rookie records, including 1,631 rushing yards in his first season. However, his production has steadily declined, and he has not surpassed 1,000 rushing yards in a season since 2020. With Elliott's departure, the Cowboys are now looking to Deuce Vaughn and other running backs to fill the void left by the former star.
