Real reasoning behind Ezekiel Elliott release revealed

The Dallas Cowboys made the decision last month to cut ties with former 1st round draft pick Ezekiel Elliott, who had suited up for them since being selected from Ohio State University in the 2016 NFL Draft. One of the most popular players on the roster amongst his teammates and fans, Elliott experienced a career low in statistics in 2022. 

With the emergence of Tony Pollard, Elliott was made expendable. And rather than “insult” him by offering him a lower amount of compensation, the team simply elected to move on by cutting him. 

Simply put, it was a matter of respect.

“When you’ve got players and we’ve had them over the years, whether it’s Emmitt Smith, whether it’s a DeMarcus Ware … these type of players you’ve got such respect for everything that they’ve done for your organization,” Jones reporters at the NFL owners meetings in Phoenix. “The last thing we want to do is do anything that would be insulting to a player to a great player, like Zeke, who was one of the best players to ever put on a Cowboys uniform.

“(He was a) great competitor and (we’re) wishing nothing but the best if it turns out he didn’t return,” Stephen said. “But we never rule anything out around here. But yeah, there are sensitivities when you get into making offers.”

We’ll definitely miss having Elliott with the Cowboys. As of right now, however, he’s yet to find another NFL home.