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Todd Archer, ESPN Staff Writer
FRISCO, Texas — When Ezekiel Elliott was introduced to the Riders Field crowd before Wednesday's Reliant Energy Home Run Derby, it was as if Elliott had come home.
Elliott signed a one-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday and has been participating in on-field workouts this week after spending last year with the New England Patriots.
“It was important to me to come back here and finish what I started,” Elliott said at the Cowboys' annual fundraiser.
Elliott spent the first seven years of his career with the Cowboys, becoming the franchise's third all-time leading rusher behind Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett. He was selected to the Pro Bowl three times and All-Pro once.
He played in 103 games and rushed for 8,262 yards and 68 touchdowns on 1,881 carries. He caught 305 passes for 12 touchdowns and 2,336 yards.
He led the Patriots in rushing yards (642 yards) and reception yards (51 yards) last year, and although he hasn't had a 100-yard rushing game since 2021, he has no intention of giving up his spot as the starting running back.
“At the end of the day, I'm a football player. I love the game,” Elliott said. “I still think I'm the dominant guy. I've got to go out there and prove it. That's the motivation. You all know how I feel about competing and giving everything for my teammates. I think there is.”
No one is more excited about Elliott's return than Dak Prescott. Elliott and Prescott have developed a strong bond since they were drafted together in 2016.
“He's a real guy,” Prescott said. “He's honest and what you see is what you get. He can have fun too, but when he gets serious and focused, there's no one better than him… That's something every young man should follow.” His business is going to be huge for this team.''
Elliott said he's still learning the slight changes made to the offense now that Mike McCarthy is calling the plays. He will be asked to lead a different running back room than when he left, along with Rico Doodle, Royce Freeman, Deuce Vaughn, Hunter Lupke, Malik Davis and Snoop Conner. The Cowboys did not select a running back in last week's draft, but did agree to terms with undrafted free agent Nathaniel Peete.
“We have a lot of young players, a lot of talented players with different skill sets,” Elliott said.
One thing is different about Elliot's return. His jersey number will change from No. 21, which he wore while in Dallas, to No. 15, which he wore at New England and Ohio State.
“I just look at it as a different era,” he said.
But the goal is the same as before.
“There's unfinished business,” he said. “I'm here to chase the ring.”
