The Dallas Cowboys front office is working furiously to prepare for the 2024 NFL Draft a short three weeks from today.
America’s Team lost starting talent at several positions on the roster after the departure of 13 free agents from their 2023 roster, and it appears free agency isn’t an option to replace them.
Free agency won’t be an option for the Cowboys until other teams release veterans after the draft so Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones can go bargain bin shopping.
Running back is one of the positions that needs reinforcements but what are the options in case the draft doesn’t fall their way?
What if I told you rumors are swirling about mutual interest between the team and a former first round pick?
As reported by multiple media outlets over the past few days, the Cowboys and former fourth overall pick Ezekiel Elliott have mutual interest in a reunion.
Elliott played eight productive and dynamic years with the Cowboys before becoming a salary cap casualty at the end of the 2022 season and being released to free agency.
After a year in New England, he is a free agent again and the rumors of his return to Dallas are swirling.
Zeke left countless memories for Cowboys fans and his best friendship with QB Dak Prescott was always a bonus.
With the possibility of a reunion with Zeke, I’d like to take a look at some of those memories by revisiting my favorite three performances from his Cowboys career.
Joe Buck Loses His Mind
Date: 11/13/2016
Opponent: Pittsburgh Steelers
Location: Heinz Field
Elliott’s rookie season was a magical season that surprised all of Cowboys Nation.
QB Tony Romo was lost to a back injury that later resulted in his retirement. Expectations for the team were low, but a pair of rookies changed that narrative.
By the time the Cowboys traveled to Pittsburgh to take on the mighty Steelers, rookies Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott had brought a new identity to the team.
Dallas entered the game with a 6-1 record and winner of six consecutive games.
It’s arguably the best game Elliott has played in the NFL, rushing for 114 yards and two touchdowns and adding 95 yards receiving and another touchdown to those totals.
Facing a 12-3 deficit with the first quarter clock winding down, Elliott took a screen pass 83 yards to the endzone to spark the Cowboys offense.
A shootout ensued as Ben Roethlisberger, LeVeon Bell, and Antonio Brown would take on Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, and Dez Bryant in a tag team match totaling 65 points and eight total touchdowns.
Elliott capped off the scoring with a game-sealing 32-yard rushing touchdown with less than 10 seconds left on the game clock.
Joe Buck went wild on the color commentary, just like fans did at home after the 35-30 victory.
Elliott Strikes Gold
Date: 10/22/2017
Opponent: San Francisco 49ers
Location: Levi’s Stadium
Despite the result of recent playoff games and an unfortunate road trip in the regular season, the Cowboys at one point were blowing out San Francisco.
Zeke struck gold during a regular season game during the 2017 season.
Before a questionable six-game suspension laid down by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for a Spring Break video showing Elliott having a little too much fun, Zeke was on pace for another 1,000-yard season.
A late October game in San Francisco reminded the NFL that Zeke was the best running back of the time.
Elliott rushed for 147 yards and two touchdowns, and much like the game in Pittsburgh, Zeke took a screen pass 72 yards for a touchdown.
I jumped out of my seat watching Zeke weave in and out of defenders on his way to the endzone and a 40-10 road win.
He finished the game with 219 total yards and three touchdowns on 27 touches.
Zeke Cages the Lions
Date: 9/30/2018
Opponent: Detroit Lions
Location: AT&T Stadium
This is probably the only game in my entire time as a Cowboys fan where I had to sit and watch the entire game after the fact.
My family and I were on a trip to Fiesta Texas and I was forced to follow the game on my phone while I waited in line for rollercoasters with my kids.
I’d missed games before, but honestly, I never felt I needed to go back and re-watch the whole game afterward until this one.
Dallas would win the back-and-forth affair with Texas native Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions by the score of 26-24.
The winning kick was knocked through the uprights by Brett Maher as time expired so he gets the majority of the glory, but Zeke carried the team on his back.
He finished the game with 240 total scrimmage yards with a touchdown on 29 total touches.
None of those touches were bigger than an incredible 34-yard catch along the right sideline with the Cowboys driving down the field inside two minutes to set up the Cowboys in Lions’ territory.
No, I don’t expect these types of vintage performances from Zeke if he eventually signs with the Cowboys again, but it sure is fun to reminisce.