Ezekiel Elliott and the Dallas Cowboys go together like peanut butter and salt. In other words, they don’t go together at all. Although the Cowboys organization might have originally thought themselves the jam, they were proved otherwise. There are several reasons the duo couldn’t make it work and it sends a clear direction of where they’re going next.
Why the Dallas Cowboys Released Ezekiel Elliott . . . Again
The Somewhat Anticipated Return of Ezekiel Elliott
The main reason the Cowboys brought Elliott back was to reestablish a shaky run game and to punch the ball in for touchdowns. In his previous run with the Cowboys back in 2022, Elliott managed 12 rushing touchdowns. However, he couldn’t repeat that success in New England. There, he only managed 3 rushing touchdowns. He now leaves Dallas with that exact same number.
Elliott also managed to take some backward steps in his on-field production. In 2024, he’s put up 226 rushing yards and 69 receiving yards. He’s averaged 3.1 yards per carry and was even put on the sidelines when Rico Dowdle started hitting his stride. Over the last few games, the Cowboys used Elliott in a red zone situation that hasn’t worked out well. In their most recent game against the Eagles, Elliott faced a stuff and a four-yard loss in the red zone. Although there was a lot of hope and a lot of expectations at the beginning of the season, the season ends lackluster.
Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn at the Helm
In this upcoming and final game against the Commanders, the Cowboys have an opportunity to put Deuce Vaughn at the forefront. Vaughn saw an amazing preseason performance early this year but hasn’t been given the same opportunity to highlight that in the regular season. Unlike both Dowdle and Elliott, Vaughn is an incredibly small back. However, his difference is his strength, as his size makes him shiftier and harder to take down. With the offseason approaching, cuts are in the mind of everyone at the organization. This could be their last opportunity to see what Vaughn can do.
Dowdle has taken being lead back in stride. Even though his run game struggled a bit against the Eagles, he still managed 100 yards and 4.5 yards per carry. He has been consistent since given the reigns to the organization and is likely to stay as the Cowboys look forward to other opportunities in the draft.
What’s Next for Elliott and the Cowboys
As playoffs are about to get underway, there is a chance a team could want to pick up Elliott. Elliott has said multiple times that he still has a lot left in the tank. With injuries becoming commonplace, there’s a chance he could see the field. But teams would have to navigate whether his past performance means anything to his future. Elliott is not the same 3rd overall draft pick he once was. He still has attributes that can be game-day-ready, but it could be tough for him to find a new home.
Similarly, the Dallas Cowboys are more likely than ever to draft a new running back very high. Dowdle has shown what a top-tier run game could be. Other teams have valuable two-back systems as well, like the Detroit Lions and the Atlanta Falcons. At the start of the season, McCarthy was excited to try a running back committee. There’s still a possibility for that in the future via the draft. In other words, the future for the Dallas Cowboys running backs is brighter than ever.
Main Image: Bill Streicher – USA Today Sports
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