Mike McCarthy Reveals How Cowboys Felt Releasing Ezekiel Elliott

The Dallas Cowboys decided to make a major move this NFL offseason to part ways with veteran running back Ezekiel Elliott after seven years with the storied franchise.

Although the team is clearly invested in Pro Bowler Tony Pollard, Elliott still had a solid season in 2022, with the team’s longtime back scoring 12 touchdowns.

Elliott may not be the threat he once was out of the backfield, but the two-headed monster of him and Pollard was imposing, to say the least.

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy recently talked about the team deciding to release Elliott and how everyone felt about making the tough move.

From my @nflnetwork conversation this week with Mike McCarthy on the state of the #Cowboys, letting Ezekiel Elliott go and how Dak gets back on track. pic.twitter.com/3crxYLrTpu

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 31, 2023

Dak Prescott, Jerry Jones and McCarthy have all expressed the same sentiment about Elliott and the Cowboys releasing the 27-year-old running back.

There’s no doubt Elliott was very popular among his teammates and the Cowboys brass and coaching staff, which does make the move a bit perplexing.

However, McCarthy did say recently that it wouldn’t be beyond the realm of possibility that Elliott returns to the team.

Currently, Elliott remains unsigned, but there have been reports of teams interested, like the New York Jets.

Elliott’s career in the NFL seems far from over, but it remains to be seen whether he’ll be a feature back in the league again after being let go by the only team he’s played for on the professional level.

The Ohio State product rushed for 8262 yards and 68 touchdowns during his seven years in Dallas.

He also had 2,336 receiving yards and 12 receiving touchdowns during that span.

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