FRISCO, Texas — What’s the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Dallas Cowboys running Ezekiel Elliott?
For many people, the answers would range between bulldozing defenders for first downs or breaking away downfield for touchdowns. Those were regular occurrences during Elliott’s prime, first four seasons from 2016 through 2019 when he registered over 1,300 rushing yards three times, including two rushing titles in 2016 (1,631) and 2018 (1,434).
The answer to that question for Elliott’s teammates now that he has returned to Dallas on a one-year deal after a year away with the New England Patriots in 2023 following his early release from a six-year, $90 million contract extension he signed back in 2019 is simple. It’s his personality.
“The first day he’s back he put a big smile on everyone’s face in the locker room,” Cowboys seven-time First-Team All-Pro right guard Zack Martin said Tuesday at mandatory minicamp when asked about Elliott’s return to Dallas after the 2024 NFL Draft. “He’s got an infectious personality, maybe something we missed at times last year. So, it’s great to have him back.”
That personality was on full display shortly after his interview session with local media on Wednesday after the Cowboys’ minicamp practice. Elliott jogged back into the middle of the locker room and jumped into hitting the Whip and Nae Nae dance moves while shooting a towel he used during practice into the laundry bin in the middle of the room. Elliott was smiling and laughing without a care in the world.
“[It’s] the f—– best,” Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott said of Elliott’s return and first full month back in Dallas.
“It means a lot. It means a lot,” Elliott said Wednesday at mandatory minicamp when told of his teammates’ appreciation. “I definitely work to be that guy. Being recognized means a lot. The main thing is we’re going to have fun, but we’re going to work. We’re going to get work. We’re going to be taking ourselves forward, but we got to have fun doing it.”
The backfield duo came into the NFL together as a part of Dallas’ 2016 NFL Draft class with Elliott being selected fourth overall and Prescott coming off the board 135th overall in the fourth round. The three-time Pro Bowl quarterback called the three-time Pro Bowl running back his “little brother” and a best friend obviously” prior to the Cowboys facing Elliott when he was on…
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