Three-time Pro Bowl running back Ezekiel Elliott has agreed to a one-year contract with the New England Patriots worth $4 million, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.
The individual, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the organization has not yet publicized the move, stated that the contract could be worth up to $6 million with incentives.
Elliott, 28, has rushed for 68 touchdowns and over 8,000 yards in seven seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. He was the runner-up for the AP Rookie of the Year award in 2016, and he led the NFL in running yards again in 2018.
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He also has over 2,300 receiving yards and 12 touchdown catches.
Elliott’s yards per game have fallen in every season of his career, a pattern that mirrors the decreased utilization of running backs in the NFL since the Cowboys selected him with the No. 4 overall choice in 2016. The Patriots have been notably dismissive of the load-carrying rusher under coach Bill Belichick, winning Super Bowls in the last decade with more versatile, role-playing running backs like Sony Michel, Jonas Gray, and James White.
Elliott is anticipated to offer depth for the club behind Rhamondre Stevenson, who is in his third year with the squad at this stage in his career.
