Ezekiel Elliott’s return to Dallas is over; Cowboys release former two-time NFL leading rusher

The Dallas Cowboys and running back Ezekiel Elliott have mutually agreed to part ways, resulting in the team giving its No. 3 all-time rushing leader his release with one game left to play in the season.

The Cowboys (7-9), who face the Washington Commanders in the season final Sunday, made the move in an effort to give Elliott a chance to join a playoff team.

He must first clear waivers.

“Out of respect and appreciation for Zeke and wanting to provide him with an opportunity to pursue any potential playoff participation possible, we are releasing him from the Cowboys roster today,” Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said in a statement. “As I have said many times previously, Zeke’s impact as one of the greatest to ever play with the Star on their helmet will never change and is etched in our record books and history forever. We thank him, love him and wish him the absolute best.”

Rocky Arceneaux, Elliott’s agent, thanked the Cowboys in a statement “for affording Zeke this unique opportunity in granting us our release.”

“Even though nothing is imminent Zeke is excited about the possibilities and is grateful. He’s got a lot of good football left in him, and will remain a Dallas Cowboy for life,” Arceneaux said.

Elliott, 29, rushed 74 times for 226 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games

He has caught 12 passes for 69 yards.

He was also suspended for a game for being late to team meetings.

It has been far from the season he expected when he signed a one-year deal with Cowboys after the 2024 NFL Draft.

After opening the season as the starter, Elliott’s snaps and number have decidedly declined as Rico Dowdle took over as the team’s primary back.

Elliott has topped 14 snaps just once in the past eight games. 

He had returned to Dallas to finish what he started and possibly make a trip to the Super Bowl.

The end result was a colossal failure.

A Cowboys team that finished 12-5 in each of the last three seasons is out of the playoffs and Elliott’s best friend, quarterback Dak Prescott, was sidelined after eight games with a torn hamstring.

Now Elliott, who was cut following the 2022 season because of decline in production didn’t match his salary, has been released again.

Elliott, picked fourth overall by the Cowboys in 2016, ran for 8,262 yards over his first seven seasons with the Cowboys and won two NFL rushing titles in 2016 and 2018.

He spent 2023 with the New England Patriots, leading the team in rushing and receiving.

Elliott has not topped 1,000 yards since 2020 (1,002) and has seen his production decline in every season of his career.

It remains to be seen what value he could potentially have for a playoff team and if Elliott has a market for 2025 if he chooses to continue on with his career.