Former Dallas Cowboys star running back Ezekiel Elliott has fallen a long way in a short time. The back serves as a reminder of how taxing the position can be and how short the shelf life of stardom is for most backs. It was only the 2022 season that Zeke was still in the Dallas starting lineup and a big piece of the offensive game plan.
Things took a step back, but not enough to hurt the veteran's chances of signing in free agency, landing a deal with the New England Patriots. This was a short-lived pairing with the Pats quickly pivoting and Zeke returning to the Cowboys in a reserve role.
Things didn't go as planned with the back having zero burst and unable to win short-yardage plays he once dominated. It was clear that the reunion was a mistake and the two sides didn't appear to end on the best of terms. Regardless, free agency hasn't been kind to the veteran with Elliott, neither retiring nor finding a new landing spot. It doesn't come as a surprise that the market is limited with the tape from the last two seasons exposing a number of concerns.
Former Cowboys Star Zeke Elliott Remains a Free Agent
For those wondering why the back is where he is currently, rewind to the 2016 season and consider what happened from there. From the star's first season, the Cowboys asked Elliott to shoulder a heavy load, surpassing 300 carries in his first season. In the first four years of his career, Zeke would go well over 1,100 carries. These weren't easy runs either, with a demanding run style consistently taxing the Cowboys' best source of offense.
It is easily forgotten just how much Zeke carried the Dallas offense in the first seasons of Dak Prescott's career. Everything the Cowboys were able to accomplish was built around his production. Seeing how it has taken a toll on his career is a frustrating end for a great player.
While there is a chance Elliott finds a reserve role, it could be argued that it is time to walk away. Every season the veteran plays continues to damage the memory of his past dominance. While it was a short window, the back is an incredibly important piece of recent team history and remains a respected former player, even if his career is reaching a sad end.