Cowboys insider: Don’t rule out reunion with running back Ezekiel Elliott

The Dallas Cowboys have a serious question to answer about their running back plans for the 2024 season after letting Tony Pollard leave for the Titans in free agency and letting Rico Dowdle’s contract expire on Wednesday. The team’s only remaining running backs are 2023 Draft pick Deuce Vaughn, the smallest back in the league, and Hunter Luepke, who is technically a fullback.

Though Dallas is reportedly considering a pickup of former Packers No. 2 running back AJ Dillon, Cowboys insider Patrik Walker suggested a reunion with former first-rounder Ezekiel Elliott could be on the table.

“I wouldn’t rule out a possible reunion with Ezekiel Elliott (and then also drafting an RB to tandem),” Walker shared. “His relationship with the #Cowboys is still positive and the dialogue has remained open.”

Dillon and Elliott posted similar stats in 2023, with the veteran averaging 3.5 yards per carry to the Packers standout’s 3.4 ypc. The major difference between the two is the tread on their tires. Elliott will turn 29 this summer and Dillon is only 25.

Elliott rushed for 8,262 yards and 68 touchdowns on 4.4 yards per carry during his time with the Cowboys. He regressed in 2022, however, which resulted in the team releasing him to save on cap space. In 15 games in 2022, he rushed for 876 yards on 3.8 yards per carry and had zero 100-yard-plus games while Pollard topped 1,000 yards. Elliott also added 17 receptions for 92 yards.

He showed with the Patriots that he can still contribute significantly after he signed on a one-year deal for $3 million. Elliott nearly reached 1,000 all-purpose yards by also snagging 51 passes for 313 yards and two scores.

More on the 2024 NFL offseason, free agency

The NFL 2024 calendar year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 13. At that time, contracts running through 2023 officially run out, making those players free agents. Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 5. Beginning March 11 through March 13 teams can enter into a legal negotiation with players who will become unrestricted free agents.

In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marks the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office. April 19 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 24, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits. Following the restricted free agent deadline follows the 2024 NFL Draft, which runs from April 25-27.