The Dallas Cowboys have been told that they "need" to re-sign running back Ezekiel Elliott - just weeks after the team released him.
In a move that had been rumoured for two years, the Cowboys officially cut their long-time offensive leader Elliott just a few years after making him the highest-paid running back in NFL history. It was a move that the team had little choice but to make in order to save money and open up around $6 million in cap space after they decided to re-sign fellow running back Tony Pollard.
But Elliott is still yet to find a new suitor whilst there are also injury concerns surrounding Pollard. Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith, the greatest at the position in Cowboys history, reckons they should look to bring Zeke back.
Speaking to Sports Illustrated, Smith said: "I think Dallas needs to bring Zeke back if they can. With the uncertainty of Pollard being able to come back, being the Tony Pollard that we all know, that is yet to be seen.
"Until that is proven itself out, and he’s healthy enough to get out there and carry the football in some form of who he used to be, that is my biggest concern."
Elliott had been one of the better running backs in the NFL throughout his first few seasons, but has regressed dramatically in recent years - as often is the case with running backs. In 2019, Elliott signed a huge six-year, $100 million contract to stay with the Cowboys in a was a deal that deemed to be excessive at the time.
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Although Elliott was able to still play at a solid level as a bell-cow running back, it became obvious at times last season that his understudy, Tony Pollard, had become the better go-to option to give the ball to. Pollard had finally emerged as the team's number one offensive weapon after years of extremely promising play, but he had been limited to a bench role behind Elliott.
Pollard started just four games in 2022, but was given a more prominent role as he rushed for over 1000 yards at one of the league's best rate (5.2 ypc). However, coming into this season, Pollard is recovering from a broken ankle, and may not be 100% heading into the campaign.
The only other notable running back on the roster is sixth-round rookie Deuce Vaughn - who Dallas drafted in dramatic fashion.
Vaughn could be a solid option, but like Pollard, he is an undersized back who may not be able to manage the workload that Elliott can.
