NFL rumors: Cowboys’ Ezekiel Elliott interest just got real

The Dallas Cowboys appear to have some palpable interest in bringing back Ezekiel Elliott.

New developments suggest that Ezekiel Elliott could be returning to the Dallas Cowboys after all.

The former No. 4 overall pick out of Ohio State was released by the only professional team he has ever played for earlier this offseason. Dallas has since used the franchise tag on Tony Pollard and drafted former Kansas State star Deuce Vaughn. While the Cincinnati Bengals seemed like a great fit for Elliott, that may no longer be a pressing issue with Joe Mixon back in the fold for the team.

As far as an Elliott return to DFW, Jeff Howe of The Athleticreported the Cowboys, along with the New York Jets seem to have the most interest (subscription required) in him on the open market. Both would be stellar!

At this point in Elliott’s career, he should look to go to teams where Super Bowl aspirations are serious so that he can boost his resume enough to the point where Canton is a strong possibility.

Let’s discuss if a Dallas return makes more sense for Elliott than taking a flight with Gang Green.

NFL rumors: Is an Ezekiel Elliott return to the Dallas Cowboys a possibility now?

To me, for as long as Elliott’s NFL free agency continues to be drawn out, the better of a chance he ends up returning to Dallas on a very team-friendly and incentive-laden contract. Dallas loves its homegrown players more than most organizations in the league. It is both a blessing and a curse when it comes to the Cowboys’ overall roster construction. However, an Elliott return should work.

His best friend is still Cowboys franchise quarterback and draft classmate Dak Prescott. They have been crucial in Dallas’ turnaround as a team for the better part of a decade now. Even if they never get to the Super Bowl together, this is a duo worth investing in, now and possibly even more so down the line. Regardless, Dallas is a team like the Jets where hoisting the Lombardi is realistic.

Overall, the Cowboys are a the better fit over the Jets all things equal for three reasons: Familiarity, postseason pathway and legacy building. This is the only professional team Elliott knows, so he has that working for him with Dallas. Given the Cowboys play in the easier of the two conferences, reaching the Super Bowl is far easier. Plus, being a Super Bowl winner on the Cowboys is massive!

It might be a late training camp signing, but we cannot rule out an Elliott return to Dallas just yet.