Cowboys' reunion with Ezekiel Elliott brings mixed bag of expectations ahead of 2024 NFL season

The Dallas Cowboys have agreed to terms with Ezekiel Elliott, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport.

The deal is reported to be a one-year contract bringing back Zeke to the franchise that drafted him fourth overall. After the Cowboys cut Elliott in 2023, it felt like the end of the road for the two parties but time moves quickly in the NFL.

After losing Tony Pollard in free agency to the Tennessee Titans, the Cowboys were expected to target a running back in the open market or in the NFL Draft. They did neither, leaving the position near the top of their positions of need entering the thick of the offseason.

Elliott now joins a running back room filled with young players with upside that will likely feature more of a committee rather than having Zeke eat the majority of the workload as the workhorse he once was.

There are positives to the signing as Elliott has proven to be durable with 120 games under his belt. The veteran back is also a good pass blocker and he's expected to be key in short-yardage situations. Additionally, Zeke had the most receiving yards in 2023 that he had had since 2020.

There's no denying he's a high-character guy that the Cowboys will love to have back on the locker room. Plus, you can bet Dak Prescott is excited to have one of his closest friends back on the team.

But it's key to note Elliott is missing the explosiveness these days. Last season, he had eight rushes that went for 10 yards or more and only one that went for 15+. For contrast, here's how that stacked up versus Cowboys backs: 

• Elliott: 184 attempts, eight 10+ yard rushes, one 15+ yard rush
• Pollard: 267 attempts, 22 10+ yard rushes, 11 15+ yard rushes
• Dowdle: 91 attempts, seven 10+ yard rushes, three 15+ yard rushes

2023 was also Elliott's career worst in yards after contact per attempt, with each of his last three seasons ranking in the bottom three of his career.

Some might perceive this as a red flag but ultimately it'll depend on how the Cowboys handle it. I believe the best version of the RB group to be one in which the ball is evenly distributed between two-three backs. And Dowdle, who we know Mike McCarthy really likes, should be leading the group once the season starts.