Cowboys' Depth Chart, Salary Cap for 2024 After Ezekiel Elliott's Rumored Contract

The Dallas Cowboys have a new running back, and he looks an awful lot like their old running back.

Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported the Cowboys and Ezekiel Elliott reached a contract agreement Monday, pending a physical.

Todd Archer of ESPN reported the one-year deal carries a maximum of $3 million in total value. The Cowboys entered the day with just $6.3 million in cap space.

Elliott spent the 2023 season with the New England Patriots after being released by the Cowboys last March. He posted career lows in rushing attempts (184), yards (642), touchdowns (3) and yards per attempt (3.5) and did not have a single carry longer than 17 yards.

While the Patriots had far bigger problems on offense than Elliott, he wasn't helping matters and certainly did not perform well enough to earn a starting job heading into the 2024 season.

His return to Texas continues what can only be described as a confusing offseason in Dallas. The Cowboys are yet to sign quarterback Dak Prescott or wide receiver CeeDee Lamb to long-term contract extensions despite the market rising around them, and they largely ignored the running back spot before inking Elliott.

Incumbent starter Tony Pollard signed a contract with the Tennessee Titans, leaving Dallas with Rico Dowdle and second-year back Deuce Vaughn leading the depth chart. Dowdle is a career backup as he approaches his fifth NFL season, and Vaughn can't handle a full workload of carries at 5'6" and 176 pounds.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones seemed unconcerned with his team's lack of urgency at the running back spot when speaking to reporters Saturday.

"I've seen teams win the Super Bowl with running backs that they traded for midseason. The point is that this thing is a long way from being over as to how you're going to line up (during the season)," Jones said to reporters.

Jones previously told reporters he believes Elliott is still good enough to serve as a starter. Given Monday's signing, it's looking increasingly likely we're going to find out.