For Cowboys, asking Ezekiel Elliott to do less would have been tougher than moving on

Ezekiel Elliott burst on the scene nearly seven years ago with a singular talent and infectious personality that helped transform the Cowboys’ fortunes.

Now, as his star has dimmed and impact waned, he’ll continue his career with another team.

The Cowboys cut Elliott on Wednesday, the first day of the NFL’s new fiscal year. The parting was described as mutual by owner Jerry Jones in a release issued by the club and came as no surprise.

Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett are the only backs who have rushed for more yards in the franchise’s rich history. But Elliott’s skills had eroded over the past two seasons to the point where Tony Pollard had moved past him as the team’s most effective back.

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Elliott’s side had indicated the former first round pick would be willing to take a pay cut to remain in Dallas, but determining a number that would accurately reflect his projected role in 2023 was too difficult for both sides to navigate. He was designated as a post-June 1 cut, meaning the club carves out an additional $10.9 million on the upcoming payroll.

RELATED: Ezekiel Elliott carried Cowboys back into NFL spotlight. Dallas ran him into the ground

“Zeke’s impact and influence is seared into the Cowboys franchise in a very special and indelible way,’’ Jones said in his statement. “He has been a consummate professional and leader that set a tone in our locker room, on the practice field and in the huddle.

“Zeke defined what a great teammate should be, and anyone that has ever played a team sport would be lucky to have a teammate like Zeke and be much better for it. His commitment and passion for winning is selfless, and the accountability he brings everyday earned the respect of our coaches, his teammates and our entire organization.’’

The fourth player taken in the ‘16 draft, Elliott became the joyous face of a nine-game turnaround from the previous season. He won the NFL’s rushing title — he would add a second title in his third season — and quickly established himself as a dominant offensive force. He became a fan favorite with his first down “Feed Me’’ celebrations, his penchant for jumping into the Salvation Army kettle after scoring a touchdown and cartoon giggle.

Elliott put together four, 1,000-yard seasons and amassed 8,262 yards rushing in his first seven years in the league. Tennessee’s Derrick Henry (8,335 yards) is the only back with more during that span.

But this past season, as he took a secondary role to Pollard, Elliott rushed for 876 yards on 3.8 yards a carry. Both represented career lows. There were no 100-yard games, a mark he once passed frequently and with ease.

Elliott has gone 27 regular season games failing to crack that barrier. His last 100-yard game came in October 2021.

In his prime, Elliott was a hammer. He swung away at opponents as the game wore on and was often at his best at the end of games and the end of the season.

This past season? Elliott averaged 49.8 yards on 3.28 yards a carry in the six regular season games after Thanksgiving.

Executive vice president Stephen Jones recently called Elliott the ultimate competitor, a blue-collar back who’s amazing in what he’s done during his Cowboys tenure. He said what Elliott brings to the table is hard to define.

But salaries are designed to define a player’s worth to the franchise. Elliott’s base for the ‘23 season was $10.9 million. His cap hit of $16.9 million was going to be the highest in the league at the position.

After applying a $10.09 million franchise tag to prevent Pollard from reaching free agency, the Cowboys couldn’t afford to pour that much money into the position. The focus then turned to what Elliott’s role would be and what made fiscal sense.

Elliott remains a force on third-and-short and in the red zone. He led the team with 12 rushing touchdowns this past season.

But what if he settled exclusively into the role of a short-yardage back? How many times would he touch the ball a game? Six to eight? Maybe 10?

When a back has that limited of a role on offense, he needs to contribute on special teams. Would it be realistic to ask Elliott to fill that role for the first time at this stage of his career?

Elliott’s willingness to take a step back for Pollard’s rise this past season was a positive in the locker room and admirable. It increased the already-high level of esteem teammates and coaches held Elliott.

But asking Elliott to do even less going forward would have been difficult for a player who had such a vital, high-profile role for the franchise for so long. It would have been difficult for everyone.

That’s why the two sides “mutually agreed’' to part. Doing so now gives Elliott more options when it comes to finding another team and allows the Cowboys to focus on who they will pair with Pollard going forward.

The April draft is the most likely place to turn, although a person with knowledge of the club’s thinking didn’t rule out signing a veteran in the coming weeks of free agency.

RELATED: Ezekiel Elliott highs and lows: A look back at his Dallas Cowboys career

“He wore the Cowboys Star with pride and purpose every single time he put it on, and we’re a better franchise because of the example he set for veterans and rookies alike,’’ Jerry Jones said in his statement. “That carried over into our community as well, with Zeke’s generosity and spirit about giving and caring for others.’’

“This is one of the toughest parts of operating a team. Moments like this come, and extremely difficult decisions and choices are made. For the franchise. For me personally. For players too.

“We will always have a special place and love for Zeke and what he means to our Cowboys family, both as a person and a player. That will never change.”

Catch David Moore periodically on The Ticket (KTCK-AM 1310 and 96.7 FM) throughout the Cowboys offseason.

Twitter: @DavidMooreDMN

Photos: Ezekiel Elliott through the years with the Dallas Cowboys

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More on the Ezekiel Elliott era coming to an end

— Watch: Breaking down Ezekiel Elliott’s release, what it means for Cowboys moving forward

— Ezekiel Elliott carried Cowboys back into NFL spotlight. Dallas ran him into the ground

— Where Ezekiel Elliott ranks among Cowboys’ all-time running backs

— Ezekiel Elliott highs and lows: A look back at his Dallas Cowboys career

— Dallas Cowboys release running back Ezekiel Elliott

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