Dallas City News

By now everyone knows Ezekiel Elliott is back in town. After a year apart where he took his talents up north to New England with the Patriots, Zeke is back where it all started with the Cowboys. That much is known, but what isn’t clearly defined is just what his role is going to be.

Leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft there were words shared that led some to believe the Cowboys’ decision-makers viewed Zeke as a viable starting option in 2024, despite the obvious decline in production. However, since then head coach Mike McCarthy and others have begun to temper that expectation by offering a more sensible plan of action that consists of a ‘RB by committee’ approach.

While we still have months to figure out just what that will look like for reps and carries in a game, what is clear is that the Cowboys most definitely brought Zeke back to help them punch the ball in the endzone on the ground more. Given that, what should be the touchdown expectation for Zeke in his return to Big D?

Over/under six touchdowns for Ezekiel Elliott

Say what you want about Zeke’s fading burst or his lack of homerun ability that has changed the trajectory of his career over the last few seasons, but what you cannot deny is that he knows how to find the end zone.

While in New England, among a rotating group of RBs, Zeke only found the endzone three times, a career low for him. However, the last time he got consistent opportunities to score was in his final season in Dallas, the year the fans wanted him gone, he was able to punch in for six 12 times.

A running back that produced 876 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns was let go because of his pay, because the reality is that those are productive numbers if the money makes sense. Money can distort reality, both ways, because if Zeke were to pull in those same very numbers, on his modest $3 million deal this year, that would be considered a good deal for Dallas.

However, on a $90 million contract, fans would be frustrated a bit. However, times and circumstances have changed, and Zeke has a chance to be the short-yardage enforcer and a touchdown hammer while doing so at a fair market rate.

Before 2022, Zeke’s touchdown totals for the year were 10, six, 12, and six once more from 2021 down to 2018. Is six touchdowns for Zeke in a committee role, in a franchise that understands what he brings to the red zone and short-yardage situations, a fair number? It’s not out of the question, and fans shouldn’t be upset to see it happen either.

We can debate his yards per carry, his total rushing yards per game, or the fact it would take something out of the ordinary to see him get over 1,000 yards this year. However, what his bottom line will be judged on is putting points on the board, and in that running back room, for better or worse, he is the best man for the job right now.