BREAKING: Ezekiel Elliott Signs One-Year Deal with New England Patriots
After an extended period of uncertainty, Ezekiel Elliott has found a new team in the NFL. The star running back, formerly with the Dallas Cowboys, will be joining the New England Patriots for a one-year deal, as reported by Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the contract is worth up to $6 million, including a $3 million base salary and a $1 million signing bonus. The deal also includes various incentives that could push Elliott’s earnings even higher.
Elliott, who was selected by the Cowboys as the fourth overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, has spent his entire career in Dallas. Over his seven seasons with the Cowboys, he became a fan favorite and started in 102 games. He led the league in rushing twice and achieved four 1,000-yard seasons.
However, last year proved to be a challenge for the talented running back. Elliott ran for a career-low 876 yards and saw his yards per carry average drop to a career-worst 3.8. Consequently, the Cowboys decided to release him earlier this summer, citing his $90 million contract as a financial burden.
In the absence of Elliott, the Cowboys turned to Tony Pollard, whom they placed the franchise tag on after failing to reach a long-term deal with him. Pollard is currently recovering from a broken fibula but is expected to be ready for the start of the season. The Cowboys also signed Ronald Jones in the off-season, but unfortunately, he was suspended for two games due to a violation of the league’s performance-enhancing substances policy.
Although there were brief speculations about a potential reunion between Elliott and the Cowboys, the Patriots swiftly sealed the deal, denying any hope of a return to Dallas. However, Elliott will have the opportunity to face his former team when the Cowboys host the Patriots on October 1.
Elliott had also visited the Patriots during his free agency, as reported by the Boston Globe. The Patriots were actively seeking a backup for their starting running back, Rhamondre Stevenson, particularly due to Ty Montgomery’s recent string of injuries. With the release of James Robinson in June, the Patriots currently have Kevin Harris, Pierre Strong Jr., J.J. Taylor, and C.J. Marable as potential options.
It is likely that Elliott will be working closely with Stevenson this season. The 25-year-old Stevenson had an impressive performance last season, rushing for a career-high 1,040 yards and tallying six total touchdowns.
The Patriots, who missed the playoffs last year for the second time in three seasons, will officially kick off their season on September 10 against the Philadelphia Eagles. The addition of Elliott to their roster could significantly bolster their chances of returning to the postseason.