OXNARD, Calif. — Ezekiel Elliott is no stranger to the River Ridge Complex in Oxnard, Calif. during this time of year. In fact, this is his seventh time taking in the Southern California sun with his Dallas Cowboys teammates, but none have been as unique as this time around.
He's the "new face" to some after being away for a year. He's wearing a different number. He's taking on a different role both as a leader and running back. The differences are aplenty.
But even with all the change, Elliott is blessed to be right back where his career started eight years ago and finishing what he has said to be "unfinished business" that he left when he joined New England a year ago.
"Right now, the focus is having as much fun as I can," Elliott said. "I don't know how many more of these I'm going to have. And just take advantage of being here, living in the moment…It's fun being here. The shelf life of NFL players is three years. Every snap, every year, one more year I get is a blessing. And I mean, just being out here with these guys."
His role will take on a spotlight this season in a running back room where he and Royce Freeman hold the large majority of the experience without any proven high production over the last few seasons. With that, Elliott is hoping to spread his experience around the crowded position group in order to help the backfield succeed.
"Just me kind of transforming from more of a lead-by-example to becoming more of a vocal leader," he said about the big difference this season. "From 2016 to now, I've played 100 games, 1500 more touches, however many more touchdowns and yards. I have a lot more experience, I have a lot more to offer…doing whatever I can to help bring these younger guys along."
The journey this time around for Elliott is no doubt going to have its unique challenges. Even with potential offers to join other teams in 2024, the mission back in Dallas – a place that he has said helped shape him as a man and player – is more important than ever, especially knowing that there won't be many guaranteed runs after this season.
"I think it was important for me to come back because I had unfinished business," Elliott said. "I felt like I wanted to come back and be with my guys and take another spin at it."
