Ezekiel Elliott is joining the Patriots – as former Cowboy agrees to ‘one-year-deal worth up to $6million’
Ezekiel Elliott is set to join the New England Patriots on a one-year deal worth up to $6 million. The move was first reported by Ian Rapoport and later confirmed by Elliott himself on Twitter. His compensation will include a $3 million base salary, a $1 million signing bonus, and the potential to earn up to $6 million with performance-based incentives.
Elliott, who previously played seven seasons with the Dallas Cowboys after being selected as the No. 4 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, will return to wearing his old number, No. 15, from his college days at Ohio State. He expressed his excitement about the move on Twitter, stating, “One Five, all the way live! @Patriots.”
The 28-year-old running back wore No. 21 during his tenure with the Cowboys. He visited with the Patriots in the previous month and will provide valuable depth behind the team’s starter, Rhamondre Stevenson.
Elliott’s time with the Cowboys came to an end when he was released by the team in March as part of salary-cutting measures. His performance in recent seasons was affected by injuries, including a knee injury that impacted his performance in the second half of the previous season. In 2022, he recorded a career-low of 876 rushing yards and an average of 3.9 yards per carry. During his time with the Cowboys, Elliott achieved several milestones, leading the NFL in rushing yards in 2016 and 2018, and posting four 1,000-yard rushing seasons.
With the Patriots, Elliott will contribute to their running back corps, which includes Rhamondre Stevenson and other players like Pierre Strong, Kevin Harris, and Ty Montgomery.
Ezekiel Elliott will play for Bill Belichick and the stalwart AFC East franchise After being taken No. 4 overall in 2016, Elliott played seven seasons with Dallas DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Ezekiel Elliott is signing with the New England Patriots on a one-year-deal worth up to $6million.
Ian Rapoport was first to report the move, later confirmed by Elliott himself on Twitter.
Per Adam Schefter, Elliott’s compensation will involve a $3m base, a $1m signing bonus – and is able to grow to $6m with incentives.
The 28-year-old is bringing back his old number, No. 15, from his days at the star back at Ohio State.
He confirmed this on Twitter Monday evening; ‘One Five, all the way live! @Patriots.’
Ezekiel Elliott announced Monday that he was joining the New England Patriots franchise
Elliott, who wore No. 21 for the Cowboys, will return to his old No. 15 for the AFC East team
Elliott wore No. 21 during his seven seasons with America’s Team.
The two-time NFL rushing champion visited with the Patriots late last month and provides important depth behind starter Rhamondre Stevenson.
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Elliott was released by the Dallas Cowboys in a salary-cutting move in March.
The Ohio State product was slowed in the second half of last season by a knee injury and wasn’t fully healthy in 2021. He rushed for a career-low 876 yards and 3.9 yards per carry in 2022 while backup Tony Pollard emerged as a 1,000-yard rusher and big-play threat.
Elliott led the NFL in rushing in 2016 and 2018 and posted four 1,000-yard seasons with Dallas. The 2016 first-round pick (fourth overall) ranks third in Cowboys history in rushing yards (8,262) and rushing touchdowns (68) behind Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett. He also has 305 catches for 2,336 yards and 12 scores in 103 games (102 starts).
The Patriots released running back James Robinson in June, and Ty Montgomery is nursing an undisclosed injury. Second-year running backs Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris are also on the depth chart.