Ezekiel Elliott, a free agent running back, announced his deal with the New England Patriots on social media on Monday.
Elliott tweeted, “One Five, all the way live! @Patriots,” referring to his intention to wear jersey No. 15, the number he wore when playing for Ohio State in college. He was the Cowboys’ No. 21.
Elliott agreed to a one-year contract with the Patriots, filling one of the team’s weakest spots, a source confirmed to ESPN. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Elliott’s one-year contract with the Patriots contains a $3 million basic salary and a $1 million signing bonus that may be worth up to $6 million with incentives.
Elliott, who spent the first seven years of his career with the Cowboys, is expected to be an excellent complement to No. 1 option Rhamondre Stevenson.
Under coach Bill Belichick, the Patriots have traditionally split the early down workload between two running backs. A source told ESPN’s Ed Werder that Belichick spoke directly with Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones for insight and evaluation of the former two-time NFL rushing champion before hosting him on a July 29 visit.
It was Elliott’s first team visit since his release. He subsequently dined with Patriots quarterback Mac Jones, among others, and maintained an open line of communication with club executives.
The arrangement with Elliott was originally reported by NFL Network.
Elliott had a career-low 876 running yards in 2022, but he scored 12 touchdowns and remained a premier short-yardage runner and pass protector after being released by the Cowboys on March 15 in a salary budget manoeuvre. However, according to ESPN Stats & Information, he averaged 3.9 yards per touch last season, the lowest number among 51 running backs with at least 100 touches.
This season, the Patriots will pay a visit to the Cowboys on Sunday, Oct. 21, in Week 4.
During training camp, the Patriots’ lack of depth at running back was evident. Stevenson has been backed up by second-year players Pierre Strong Jr. and Kevin Harris, although Strong, a 2022 fourth-round draught selection out of South Dakota State, has been out from practise the previous two days for unclear reasons. on addition, veteran Ty Montgomery has been ruled out due to a left leg/knee injury suffered on the second practise of camp. J.J Taylor, a third-year player, and former USFL rusher C.J. Marable round out the depth chart.
Former Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets running back James Robinson was signed by the Patriots in March, but he was released in June.
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