Ezekiel Elliott’s return to the Dallas Cowboys this season was meant to be a steadying influence on the team’s backfield, but the reality has fallen far short of expectations. Once a powerhouse on the ground, the former two-time rushing champion has struggled to make an impact, and recent issues both on and off the field have cast serious doubt on his role with the team.
In the offseason, the Cowboys made the questionable decision to largely ignore their running back needs, despite losing Tony Pollard in free agency. Jerry Jones, however, saw Elliott’s return as a way to round out the roster. Dallas aimed to deploy Elliott in a limited role, primarily as a short-yardage and goal-line specialist. Yet, after two months of football, Elliott’s contributions in these scenarios have been sporadic at best, leaving his role on the field puzzlingly ineffective.
In recent weeks, tensions seem to have reached a boiling point. After a lackluster performance against the San Francisco 49ers in which Elliott managed only 34 yards on 10 carries, a disciplinary issue came to light. Before the Cowboys’ matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, it was revealed that Elliott had missed several team meetings, including a critical one before game day, due to repeated tardiness. This is surprising behavior from a player long known as a “locker room guy” and dependable teammate, adding yet another layer of disappointment to his return.
Elliott’s most glaring on-field miscue came against the Philadelphia Eagles, where he fumbled on a first-and-goal at the six-yard line, turning a potential touchdown into a turnover. His inability to secure the ball in critical moments, combined with a career-low average of just 3.2 yards per carry, only highlights the challenges he’s facing in adapting to his role in Dallas’s offense.
Despite Jerry Jones’s comments about seeing “good things” from Elliott, it’s clear that this reunion hasn’t delivered what the Cowboys hoped for. While Elliott will always be celebrated for his contributions in his early years with the franchise, his current performance and off-field issues suggest it’s time for both parties to move on.
