Here is the only way Ezekiel Elliott returns to the Dallas Cowboys on a new deal this offseason.
It would take a worst-case scenario in the Dallas Cowboys' running back room for their former star tailback Ezekiel Elliott to return to the team that drafted him out of Ohio State on a new deal.
Jane Slater of the NFL Network made it abundantly clear that Dallas is not all that interested in bringing back Elliott into the fold. They used the franchise tag on his former backup Tony Pollard, landed Ronald Jones II in free agency and used a high draft pick on former Kansas State star Deuce Vaughn. Simply put, it would take a serious injury in the running back room for Elliott to return.
Here is what Slater said on the matter when it comes to Elliott possibly coming back to Dallas.
Never say never, but if Elliott plans on playing in the NFL next season, it will have to be elsewhere.
NFL rumors: Only injuries could bring Ezekiel Elliott back to Dallas Cowboys
Look. It is irrefutable that Elliott's best days as a running back are firmly behind him. However, he does enough of the little things necessary to win well to have some staying power in this league. It would just have to be in a different role than he is accustomed to. Although I have long advocated for him going to the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency, beggars can't be choosers in this situation.
Apart from the Ohio connection in Cincinnati, another team that could be a potential fit for him is the Los Angeles Chargers. This has everything to do with former Cowboys teammate and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore calling plays for the Bolts. Los Angeles should be a playoff team again. Given their injury-plagued nature as a franchise, they could have a use for Elliott.
In all honesty, it is going to be so weird seeing Elliott wearing another NFL jersey besides the Cowboys. At this point in his career, it is probably a year-to-year proposition, so we will just have to get used to it. Frankly, where he goes matters because it will do wonders for his NFL legacy. He is not a hall of fame player, but picking up a ring or two with a few more good seasons could do it.
The only way Elliott returns to Dallas is if Jones, Pollard and/or Vaughn get hurt and miss real time.