Dallas Cowboys Career
Ezekiel Elliott was selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the fourth overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. He played for the Cowboys from 2016 through 2022, establishing himself as one of the league's top running backs during that period. His rookie season included 1,631 rushing yards, the second-most in a single season in franchise history, and he became the first Cowboys rookie to rush for over 1,000 yards since 1961 Forbes.
Elliott signed a six-year, $90 million contract extension with the Cowboys in 2019, making him one of the highest-paid running backs in the league at the time. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in four of his seven seasons with Dallas and earned four Pro Bowl selections between 2016 and 2019. His final season with the Cowboys in 2022 saw him carry 196 times for 923 yards and seven touchdowns before entering free agency ESPN.
New England Patriots Stint
Elliott signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the New England Patriots on March 16, 2023, joining the team as their primary running back. He played for the Patriots during the 2023 NFL season, appearing in all 17 games and rushing 211 times for 928 yards and four touchdowns. The move reunited him with head coach Bill Belichick, who had previously faced Elliott in multiple games during the Cowboys-Patriots rivalry NFL.com.
Despite a strong individual performance, the Patriots finished the 2023 season with a 4-13 record, missing the playoffs. Elliott's production declined slightly in the red zone, and he dealt with a knee injury that limited his practice time late in the season. His time in New England ended when he became a free agent again after the campaign concluded Sports Business Journal.
Current Status and Contract Details
Elliott remains an unrestricted free agent following the 2023 season with the Patriots. His most recent contract was a one-year deal worth $10 million, with $6 million fully guaranteed at signing. NFL analysts project his next contract to fall in the $8 million to $12 million per year range based on his production and age OverTheCap.
As of the latest NFL offseason activity, Elliott has not signed with a new team. His career totals include 7,559 rushing yards and 53 rushing touchdowns over eight NFL seasons. He continues to be viewed as a reliable workhorse back capable of contributing immediately as a starter or backup on any roster Pro Football Reference.