Ezekiel Elliott played for the Dallas Cowboys for seven seasons, becoming a fan favorite and the team’s third-leading career rusher. On Sunday, Elliott will be a part of the New England Patriots at AT&T Stadium.
On March 15, the Cowboys terminated Elliott in part due to deteriorating output and in part due to a $16.7 million hit to the salary limit, according to a phone call with owner and general manager Jerry Jones.
Tony Pollard received the $10.09 million franchise tag from the Cowboys nine days before Elliott was released.
Elliot said
“I mean, I don’t have that much time to be too emotional,”
“I’ve got to prepare for a game. I’ve got to go out put my best foot forward. I mean, there are emotions. I may do a good job of kind of hiding them but there will be some emotions.”
“I talked on the phone with Mr. Jones, and he told me what was going on and that he didn’t necessarily want to do it but it’s just part of the business,”
Tony Pollard speaks about Elliot’s Presence
Elliott’s “presence and the joy he brings to the locker room” are missed, according to Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons. Coach Mike McCarthy stated on Monday that meetings still bring up Elliott’s name at least once a week.
Elliott mentored Pollard, who is fifth in the NFL in rushing with 264 yards on 62 carries in three games. He said
“He’s had a great influence on me playing this game, just watching him, just watching how he does things, how he approaches things, his preparation throughout the week, his film study and things like that,” Pollard said. “Just trying to pick his brain, growing with him over time.”
This week, Elliott has not yet spoken with his former teammates. He claimed that when trying to call Baltimore Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins, he unintentionally texted safety Jayron Kearse.
Before the game, the Cowboys are planning to give a tribute to Elliott in some way.
“I don’t know what I’m necessarily expecting,” Elliott said. “It’s definitely going to be weird, just being in a different uniform, being in the visitor’s locker room. But I think it’ll just be a good experience kind of seeing the fans again.”
