FRISCO, Texas — For the second time in 21 months, there being some sort of hidden irony in that alone, the Dallas Cowboys and Ezekiel Elliott have opted to part ways. More accurately speaking, the latter asked the former to be released and his request was granted on New Year's Eve.
Elliott was then subject to waivers, as all veterans are post-trade deadline, but he's since cleared waivers and is officially a free agent able to sign with any team he chooses — likely eyeing one that is entering the playoffs.
On New Year's Day, head coach Mike McCarthy spoke about the move and its timing.
"With Zeke's success here [in the past], he's earned this opportunity at his request," said McCarthy, also elaborating on the thought process on the failed reunion. "... It was a conversation, and he asked for an opportunity to move forward and I think that's clearly what's in front of him."
Needless to say, things didn't go as planned for either party when the two reunited in 2024 free agency, roughly one calendar year after the former two-time rushing champ was initially released. The initial plan was for the Cowboys to operate via a run-by-committee approach, led by Elliott and Rico Dowdle.
It devolved into a lack of identity for Dallas' offense, and Dowdle eventually emerged as the lead back midway through the season, a year that saw Elliott unable to find consistent traction; and the same was true for Hunter Luepke, Deuce Vaughn, Dalvin Cook and Royce Freeman (signed in April and released in August).
"I think if you just go through the season, we started this journey looking to be a running back by committee, and Rico clearly took the lead position," McCarthy said. "And he's ended up having a pretty productive year."
Dowdle went on to deliver the first 1,000-yard season of his NFL career and the first-ever by an undrafted player in the history of the Cowboys' franchise.
Elliott, contrarily, finished with career low totals in nearly every statistical category.
The fit simply wasn't there for him in Dallas this time around.
