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(New York, NY) — Today was a reminder that the NFL could be cruel business when the Dallas Cowboys released longtime running back Ezekiel Elliot.
The team informed the veteran tailback that he will be designated as a post-June 1 release in order to create cap space, according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport. The moves fees up $10.5 million in available spending.
Zeke has been a favorite of Jerry Jones and much of the Cowboys’ front office for years, but his play in 2022 reached unimaginable lows. He averaged just 3.8 yards per carry on his way to 876 rushing yards. Both were career lows. He also ranked as one of the league’s least efficient backs, recording runs of more than ten yards on just 17 of his 254 rushing attempts last season.
Despite his diminished play, the thee-time Pro Bowler will go down as a Cowboys legend. An emotional Cowboys owner Jerry Jones released a statement earlier today.
“Zeke’s impact and influence is seared into the Cowboys franchise in a very special and indelible way. He has been a consummate professional and leader that set a tone in our locker room, on the practice field and in the huddle. Zeke defined what a great teammate should be, and anyone that has ever played a team sport would be lucky to have a teammate like Zeke and be much better for it.”
The Cowboys owner adds, “Moments like this come, and extremely difficult decisions and choices are made. For the franchise. For me personally. For players too. We will always have a special place and love for Zeke and what he means to our Cowboys family, both as a person and a player. That will never change.”
It’s evidently obvious that decision was difficult for all parties, but at the end of they day was the logical choice. In total, Zeke spent seven season with the Cowboys compiling over 10,000 total yards and 72 touchdowns.
