Ezekiel Elliott to Patriots, per sources

NFL reporters Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero have both posted/tweeted on X (Twitter) that the New England Patriots are signing former Cowboys’ running back Ezekiel Elliott.

Elliott himself appeared to confirm their reporting with a post/tweet of his own minutes later. “One Five, all the way live! @Patriots” is how the post/tweet read.

Per the NFL.com website, Elliott will sign a contract for one-year that could be worth up to $6 million dollars with the Patriots. He had visited the Patriots during free agency.

Elliott, who was a two-time rushing champion during his seven years with the Cowboys, was released by Dallas earlier this year.

Elliott To Don Old College Number

Elliott’s tweet/post indicates he expects to play in New England with his old Ohio State jersey number, 15. As for how Bill Belichick plans to use Elliott that remains to be seen over the final two preseason games.

Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) runs with the ball against Oregon Ducks defensive back Erick Dargan (4) during the first quarter in the 2015 CFP National Championship Game against the Oregon Ducks at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The move appears to put an end to any possible return to the Cowboys that many of Elliott’s fans have been hoping for – at least for 2023.

After being drafted fourth overall by the Cowboys in 2016, Elliott burst onto the scene with a stellar rookie season.

He led the league in rushing with 1,631 yards, this despite being held out of the season finale.

Only Eric Dickerson – 1,808 in 1983 – and George Rogers — 1,674 in 1981 – had more yards as a rookie than Elliott in NFL history.

Potential Second Rushing Title DERAILED

Elliott had 783 yards over the first eight games of the 2017 season. He appeared to be on track to defend his rushing title before being suspended for six games by Roger Goodell.

The action remains controversial as the NFL’s own investigator did not believe Elliott’s accuser and recommended no punishment.

Elliott would play the final two games of the season and finished with 983 yards. He would lead the league in rushing again in 2018 with 1,434 yards.

In 2019 he would finish with 1,357 yards and earn his final Pro Bowl appearance. He would miss the 1,000 yard mark by 21 yards in 2020 and by 124 yards in 2022. He had 1,002 yards in 2021.

Elliott’s declining production, injury concerns, and the rise of Tony Pollard marked the end of Elliott’s time in Dallas.

Elliott Will Be Back In Dallas In 2023

The Patriots will visit AT&T Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 1st. While Elliott is expected to serve mostly as a complementary back to Rhamondre Stevenson.

The Oklahoma alum was a fourth round draft pick of the Patriots in 2021. There has been some talk of Stevenson being a Top-10 back in fantasy football leagues.

Belichick and the Patriots have past success in rehabilitating discarded running backs and using them for championship runs.

After the 2003 season, the Bengals discarded 29-year-old Corey Dillion. The Patriots signed him and got a 1,635 yard season from Dillon and a Super Bowl in 2004.

LeGarrette Blount led the Patriots in rushing and to a Super Bowl win in 2016.

In 2014, the Patriots brought LeGarrette Blount back into the fold for a second time and got back-to-back AFC Championship game appearances and a Super Bowl win.

The 2016 championship run saw Blount gain 1,161 yards for New England. Clearly, the Patriots are hoping lightening will strike a third time with the 28-year-old Elliott.