Cowboys Should Re-Sign Ezekiel Elliott, Says Troy Aikman: Zeke 'Is The Glue!'
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FRISCO - There is a subtle locker room movement here at The Star for idea of the Dallas Cowboys re-signing Ezekiel Elliott, with team leader Dak Prescott politely putting his name on that. There is now more openness than ever from the front office about considering the idea, with owner Jerry Jones' post-NFL Draft remarks about "the ship not sailing'' on the concept.
And what does franchise legend Troy Aikman - a keen observer not only of this team's locker room chemistry and roster makeup but maybe an all-time expert on that subject - think of a Zeke reunion?
“I don’t want to speak for the Cowboys or the Joneses, but it feels like (a reunion) might be the case,” Aikman told us said during a charity event for the Children's Cancer Fund. “I know there’s a great amount of respect for Zeke. ...
“I’ve talked to a number of people that have been in that locker room - coaches, players - and he’s the glue.''
Elliott was cut by the Cowboys on March 15 in a big-time cap-saving move; Dallas gets $10 million of relief there. He can still be a backfield helper, though last season, he ran for a career-low 876 yards on 3.8 yards per carry after having led the NFL in rushing twice in 2016 and 2018. But more, he can be a helper with his heart-and-soul presence.
And that is the value that Aikman envisions if Dallas opts to reverse course and re-sign Elliott, who continues to live and workout in Frisco as he awaits an NFL call.
Said Aikman: "I think the question becomes, ‘Is Zeke capable of really having a reduced role?’ My guess is, knowing him the way that I do, that he would handle that fine. I thought he handled everything this past year really well.”
A reunion with the Cowboys has been a much-discussed topic, and part of that is because Dallas has refused to shut the door on the potential move. Tony Pollard will be the starter; rookie sixth-rounder Deuce Vaughn - all 5-5 and 179 pounds of him - adds intrigue to the room.
And Elliott, who could still bring a lot to the table as a short-yardage back as he led the Cowboys with 12 touchdowns last season? Maybe, though it would be about much more than stats.
Said Aikman, the centerpiece of Dallas' three Super Bowl winners in the 1990's: “Losing those type of players ... it's really hard ... to replace those guys. We had some when I was playing; They didn’t contribute much on the field during the games - Zeke would obviously would contribute more - but they had a really big role in allowing us to do what we were able to do. And I think Zeke’s one of those people.”
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