Zeke happy about Cowboys return: 'It feels great to be home'
Ezekiel Elliott is back with the Dallas Cowboys, and the star running back couldn't be happier about the reunion.
"It feels great to be home," said Elliott, according to team reporter Patrik Walker. "I definitely missed being here. I missed this building. I missed Cowboys nation. I'm definitely excited and ready to get this thing going."
Elliott returned to the Cowboys on a one-year deal reportedly worth $3 million with $2 million guaranteed after a season with the New England Patriots.
Zig, Zag, Zeke 🏃 pic.twitter.com/aogEIk5WTS
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) May 1, 2024
The former two-time NFL rushing leader is again in line to head Dallas' backfield after the club didn't draft a running back despite losing Tony Pollard in free agency.
Elliott will join an unproven running back group that includes Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn.
With 2,065 career carries under his belt and his 29th birthday on the horizon, Elliott is excited about being a mentor in Dallas.
"Just being in this league for as long as I have been, and being comfortable with who I am, and having as many reps as I have, I can focus on bringing other guys along and help them find their way," said Elliott.
He added, "A lot of skilled guys and guys with a lot of different talents (in our RBs room). It'll be exciting to work with them, push each other, and help each other become better football players."
Elliott struggled in the final season of his first stint with the Cowboys, producing then-career lows in rushing yards (876), yards per carry (3.8), and success rate (47.6%), though he racked up 12 touchdowns.
The running back's fortunes didn't improve in New England last season. He finished with worse marks across the board compared to 2022, rushing for 642 yards, three scores, and an average of 3.5 yards.