Ezekiel Elliott’s Reported Deal With the Patriots Has Twitter Abuzz

In The Offseason of the Running Back—a six-month period where the financial and tactical state of one of football’s most glamorous positions made near-constant headlines—Ezekiel Elliott was largely forgotten.

Supplanted by Tony Pollard in the Cowboys' room in 2022, Elliott was unceremoniously released on March 15 after seven years in Dallas. The Ohio State great had once been among football’s most potent backs—he was the league’s leading rusher in ’16 and ’18—but his decline was undeniable.

On Monday, the Patriots reportedly signed Elliott to a one-year contract, giving quarterback Mac Jones a veteran offensive piece and Elliott a new home. Needless to say, the football world's reactions varied.

New England running back James White welcomed his new backfield mate.

Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, too, expressed excitement. Meanwhile, some fans pointed out that the pair had already met.

Jokes abounded about Elliott’s ill-fated final snap with the Cowboys, against the 49ers in January's NFC divisional playoff.

Boston superfan and The Ringer‘s Bill Simmons endorsed the move.

For better or for worse, comparisons flew to another aged talent plying his trade in Boston in 2011.

Fans quickly singled out the Patriots’ Oct. 1 trip to Dallas as a game to watch.