Jerry Jones won’t close the door on Ezekiel Elliott return

As the third-leading rusher in the history of the franchise, the Dallas Cowboys may not be done giving running back Ezekiel Elliott the football.

It is not uncommon for an NFL team to part ways with a veteran performer and then bring him back.

On the eve of the start of the NFL’s new fiscal year, the Dallas Cowboys released seven-year veteran running back Ezekiel Elliott. He was designated a post-June 1st cut (via ESPN’s Adam Schefter), meaning the club saved money against the 2023 salary cap but will absorb a bit of a hit in 2024 (via ESPN’s Todd Archer).

At the time, Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones released this statement with the news of Elliott’s departure:

Zeke’s impact and influence is seared into the Cowboys franchise in a very special and indelible way. He has been a consummate professional and leader that set a tone in our locker room, on the practice field, and in the huddle. Zeke defined what a great teammate should be, and anyone that has ever played a team sport would be lucky to have a teammate like Zeke and be much better for it.”

Then, on Monday came this bit of news from The Athletic’s Jon Machota.

Jerry Jones keeps door on Ezekiel Elliott returning wide open

Mike McCarthy’s team had quite the thunder-and-lightning punch this past season with Elliott and Pro Bowler Tony Pollard. The former led the Cowboys in carries (231) and rushing touchdowns (12). Pollard ran for a team-high 1,007 yards and like Elliott, also scored a dozen total touchdowns. Of course, the latter was injured in last season’s playoff loss at San Francisco, but he appears to be on track for a healthy return.

Could the third-leading rusher in franchise history, behind Pro Football Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett, be back with the team sooner than later? It would not be a shock when it comes to Jones, who signed Elliott to a six-year, $90 million contract extension back in 2019 (via Spotrac) in a move questioned by many.

The Cowboys are coming off a pair of 12-5 finishes and consecutive playoff appearances. Perhaps Jones isn’t quite to break up this tag-team quite yet.