The Dallas Cowboys are officially beginning the post-Ezekiel Elliott era as the star is joining the New England Patriots, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Elliott has been noticeably silent since the Cowboys opted to release the running back in March 2023, but the star took to Twitter to confirm the move to the Patriots.
The star also revealed that he plans to wear No. 15 in 2023 after rocking No. 21 with Dallas. Elliott wore No. 15 during his standout collegiate career at Ohio State.
“One Five, all the way live ! @Patriots,” Elliott tweeted on August 14, 2023.
Elliott will form a new dynamic duo with Rhamondre Stevenson in the Patriots backfield. NFL Network’s Peter Schrager is among the supporters of the Zeke addition for New England.
“Love Zeke and Stevenson as a duo for NE,” Schrager tweeted on August 14. “Battering ram offense for NE, while rest of league is spreading it out and leaning towards pass-first offenses. #InstantReaction #Analysis”
Ezekiel Elliott’s New Contract With the New England Patriots Can Be Worth as Much as $6 Million
Ezekiel Elliott tweeted that he’s signing with the New England Patriots.
There had been some hope the Cowboys could re-sign Elliott given his continued availability, but this officially puts to rest the chatter of a reunion. Elliott is signing a one-year deal with New England that could be worth as much as $6 million.
“The Patriots are expected to sign former Cowboys star RB Ezekiel Elliott to a 1-year deal worth up to $6M after his successful FA visit earlier in camp, per me and @TomPelissero,” Rapoport tweeted on August 14. “Some backfield help for NE and a new home for Zeke… who plans to rock his No. 15 from college.”
As expected, Elliott will be taking a significant pay cut from his previous $90 million deal with Dallas. Elliott’s new contract features incentives but starts with a $3 million base salary accompanied by a $1 million signing bonus, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
“Compensation update: Zeke Elliott’s one-year deal with the Patriots includes a $3 million base salary, a $1 million signing bonus and can be worth up to $6 million with incentives,” Schefter tweeted on August 14.
Cowboys Rumors: Dallas Was Among 3 Teams Still Interested in Signing Ezekiel Elliott
how likely is it that Deuce Vaughn is more efficient this year than Zeke was after Jerry gave him the $90,000,000
Elliott joining the Patriots officially ends any hope of the running back returning to Dallas, at least in 2023. The Athletic’s Jeff Howe reported on August 6 that the Cowboys, Patriots and Jets were the three teams still interested in adding Elliott.
“The Patriots have remained highly interested in Ezekiel Elliott, and the Cowboys are also in the mix to re-sign the 28-year-old, according to league sources,” Howe detailed. “The New York Jets have also been in on Elliott.
“The Jets have shown heavy interest in Dalvin Cook, but there haven’t been any recent developments on that, according to a league source. The Patriots, who had some peripheral interest in Cook, are now almost certainly not going in that direction, according to a league source.”
The Cowboys are expected to lean on a heavy dose of Tony Pollard as the team’s new RB1 this season. Rookie Deuce Vaughn is competing with Ronald Jones, Rico Dowdle and Malik Davis for additional snaps.
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Ezekiel Elliott Breaks Silence on Joining Patriots After Cowboys Breakup