Dallas Cowboys Signal 'Last Ride' For Core With Ezekiel Elliott Interest

Dallas wasn't too concerned when they let the All-Pro walk in free agency. Now, with contract questions surrounding their Dak Prescott-led core, a possible return signals new meaning.

Jan 22, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs / Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Cowboys may have one of the younger teams in football, but their current core is reaching an impasse with the franchise.

Quarterback Dak Prescott remains without a new contract while carrying a massive cap hit for the 2024 season - currently his final season with The Boys. Other players like wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and defensive star Micah Parsons are also awaiting new deals. While older stars like Tyron Smith have already left the team in free agency, the core that has helped Dallas remain one of the winningest teams in the regular season for the past decade continues to deteriorate.

Jan 22, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs / Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

That's what makes the team's interest in former All-Pro running back Ezekiel Elliott so interesting.

At the height of his powers, Elliott was not just the best running back in football, but one of the best players in the entire league. He led the league in rushing in two of his first three seasons, and recorded over 2,000 yards of total offense in 2019 - an impressive feat for any running back these days.

Following another Pro Bowl season in 2020, though, the Ohio State product struggled to remain consistent. The pounding he took at the position early in his career has taken away much of his burst and effectiveness as an every-down ball carrier.

It came to ahead last season when the Cowboys allowed Elliott to sign with the Patriots in free agency, where the veteran recorded under 800 yards rushing for the first time in his career.

Elliott's career may be in the final stages, but Dallas' interest says more about the team than just them trying to address a major position of need. With so many open spots on the roster, the Cowboys will enter the 2024 season with lowered expectations after three straight 12-win seasons. If Elliott is brought back, it could be a sign that the Cowboys want to have one last ride with the core that has left them among the winningest regular season teams in the league the last few years.

The only thing standing in their way, though, is playoff success.

And it's hard to see Elliott produce at a level that changes life for the Cowboys on that metric.